IND vs ENG: Ishant, Hardik return as BCCI announces squad for first 2 Tests
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday (January 19) announced an 18-member Test squad for India’s first two Tests against England.
Regular captain Virat Kohli returns to take charge, after having skipped the remaining three Tests in Australia to attend the birth of his first child. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who last played the ODI series against Australia, also marks his return to the Test setup.
India’s pace attack will be led by the experienced Ishant Sharma, who has already cleared his fitness test at the NCA in Bengaluru. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur, along with Washington Sundar have all retained their places after impressing on the tour of Australia, while T Natarajan has been left out.
Axar receives maiden call-up
With Ravindra Jadeja ruled out midway during the Border-Gavaskar series, the BCCI has included Axar Patel as the other spinner alongside Kuldeep Yadav. R Ashwin, despite injuring his back during the Sydney Test, will continue to lead the spin department.
TEAM – Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya (VC), KL Rahul, Hardik, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2021
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are most likely to continue as the two first-choice openers, with Mayank Agarwal named as the back-up opener. Prithvi Shaw, who had a horrendous outing Down Under, hasn’t found a place in the squad. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, despite being included in the squad, won’t be part of the playing XI for the first Test. The batsman is currently recuperating at the NCA after injuring his wrist during training in Australia.
Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav – both bowlers who were part of the Test squad against Australia, have been left out.
BCCI names four stand-byes
Additionally, the BCCI has also named KS Bharat, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar as stand-byes who will come into the squad in case a player from the main squad needs to be replaced.
The Committee also picked five net bowlers and five players as standbys.
Net Bowlers: Ankit Rajpoot, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Warrier, Krishnappa Gowtham, Saurabh Kumar
Standby players: K S Bharat, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar, Priyank Panchal#INDvENG
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2021
The first Test between India and England will begin on February 5, 2021, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
