Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel named India’s test squad for England tour on Saturday.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar took a brutal jibe at the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee over the squad selection for the England test tour. He also pointed out that Shubman Gill-led side will be going into the series with nothing to lose.
The much anticipated Indian team for the five-match test series against England was announced on Saturday, 24 May. The team will be captained by Shubman Gill, who takes over the reins from Rohit Sharma, who along with Virat Kohli, recently announced retirement from test cricket.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member squad and it features some of the consistent domestic performers along with some experienced members of the India team. Along with the development of Shubman Gill being named as skipper, Rishabh Pant was appointed as the vice-captain.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are the two front-line openers in the team, along with India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is expected to be a backup opener. Sai Sudharsan received his maiden call-up, while Karun Nair got a recall after eight long years. Both are expected to be part of XI.
The bowling department saw some familiar names with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pack, which features Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep. But what caught the attention of many was the omission of Mohammed Shami, who was left out due to fitness, and Harshit Rana, who played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The BCCI named quite a few all-rounders in the Indian team for the five-match test series. The spin bowling all-rounders include Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are there as two seam bowling all-rounders.
Strange team selection overall – Sanjay Manjrekar’s blunt take on India’s squad for England series
While the squad didn’t get much criticism, one of the brutal attacks came from Sanjay Manjrekar. The Cricketer-turned-commentator called it the ‘strange team selection’. But was quick to quip that it’s a team in transition and fans need to be patient. Taking to his Twitter account, he said:
“Strange team selection overall. But India go to England with nothing to lose. It’s a team in transition so we can only wish it the very best & yes, be patient when it comes to returns on investment.”
The test series between England and India will get underway on 20th June at the Headingley, Leeds. The series will also begin the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), and India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, would want to start it on a high.
India squad for the test series against England
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (Vc & wk), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep
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