Team India (Photo Source: twitter)
The Indian men’s selection committee is poised to convene on Tuesday, January 30, to deliberate on the composition of the Indian squad for the remaining three Tests against England. With India trailing 0-1 in the series following their 28-run defeat in the Hyderabad Test, the onus falls heavily on the home side, captained by Rohit Sharma, to mount a resurgence after England’s remarkable turnaround at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
It is anticipated that the panel will likely retain the majority of the squad, possibly making an occasional alteration. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Sourabh Kumar have received call-ups for the second Test set to commence on Friday, February 2, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Both Sarfaraz and Sourabh have earned their inaugural call-ups, showcasing commendable performances for India A during their two-match unofficial Test series against England Lions. Sundar, marking his return after last featuring in Test cricket in 2021, adds depth to the squad.
However, Team India faced setbacks with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the second Test due to injuries. Rahul’s hamstring injury and Jadeja’s issues with his right quadriceps have sidelined the duo. The absence of these key players poses challenges for the Indian side as they seek to bounce back in the series.
Virat Kohli’s return for the remainder of series looks gloomy
The looming question surrounding Virat Kohli’s return remains a subject of intense speculation. Kohli had withdrawn from the initial two matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, citing ‘personal reasons’. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement outlining developments regarding Kohli, with 30-year-old Rajat Patidar named as his replacement in the squad. Whether Kohli will participate in the final three matches of the series will be determined following the selectors’ deliberations.
Meanwhile, discussions persist over Shubman Gill’s position in the Indian team, although indications suggest he is unlikely to be dropped. Cheteshwar Pujara’s potential comeback to the Indian side remains a point of interest among cricket enthusiasts. However, Mohammed Shami is unlikely to feature in the upcoming matches, as he is presently in London. The forthcoming Tests are scheduled to take place in Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala, offering India opportunities to overturn the series in their favour.