The BCCI made significant announcements on Friday, January 12, unveiling a 16-member squad for the initial two Tests in the forthcoming 5-match series against England on home turf. Dhruv Jurel earned a maiden call-up, adding a fresh dimension to the Indian Test squad, while KS Bharat marked his comeback.
In a strategic move, India opted for a balanced bowling attack, featuring four spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav—alongside an equal number of pacers, namely Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), and Avesh Khan. This decision aims at managing player workload throughout the series, which spans over five weeks.
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However, the absence of the seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, will be felt. Despite noteworthy performances by veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, they did not secure spots in the squad.
The top-order responsibilities will rest on the dynamic duo Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, supported by experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer will look to regain form, while KL Rahul strives to maintain his exceptional run in international cricket.
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The wicket-keeper slot remains an intriguing aspect, as managing the gloves in the Indian subcontinent demands specialized skills. The Men’s Selection Committee finalized the roster for the first two Tests against England, with the series kickstarting in Hyderabad on January 25, 2024.
India’s squad for the first two Tests against England:
Rohit Sharma (C ), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.
🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia‘s squad for the first two Tests against England announced 🔽
Rohit Sharma (C ), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit…
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 12, 2024
