In a much-anticipated move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the squad for the first two Tests against England in 2024. Rohit Sharma has been entrusted with the captaincy, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as the vice-captain. However, the announcement comes with its share of surprises, most notably the absence of Ishan Kishan from the lineup.
Ishan Kishan’s Omission: A Tale of Trust and Mental Fatigue
The exclusion of Ishan Kishan has raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts. Reports suggest that the young wicketkeeper-batsman lost the trust of the Indian team management following his departure from the squad during the South Africa Test series. Speculations surrounding mental fatigue have emerged, shedding light on the challenges faced by players in the demanding world of international cricket.
Despite earlier rumors of disciplinary action, head coach Rahul Dravid dismissed them as fake news. Dravid emphasized that Kishan had not made himself available for selection, suggesting a need for the player to regain form and confidence by participating in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy.
Shami’s Continued Absence and Dhruv Jurel’s Maiden Call-Up
Mohammed Shami’s continued recovery from an injury sustained during the ODI World Cup in 2023 keeps him out of the squad. The absence of the seasoned fast bowler raises questions about India’s pace attack against England.
On a positive note, the inclusion of 22-year-old Dhruv Jurel has grabbed attention. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Jurel’s impressive domestic performances have earned him a maiden call-up. His recent scores, including a noteworthy 69 against South Africa A and a solid 63 in the Ranji Trophy, make him a promising addition to the squad.
India Squad for the First Two Tests vs. England: A Mix of Experience and Youth
The selected squad, under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, features a balanced mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. KL Rahul, KS Bharat, and Dhruv Jurel are the designated wicketkeepers for the series, with KL Rahul likely to don the big gloves.
The bowling attack, spearheaded by the trio of spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, is expected to pose a formidable challenge to the English batsmen.
🚨 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
Schedule For Test Match Series
Date | Match Details | Venue | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Jan 25 – 29, 2024 | India vs England, 1st Test | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 04:00 AM GMT / 09:30 AM IST |
Feb 02 – 06, 2024 | India vs England, 2nd Test | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 04:00 AM GMT / 09:30 AM IST |
Feb 15 – 19, 2024 | India vs England, 3rd Test | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot | 04:00 AM GMT / 09:30 AM IST |
Feb 23 – 27, 2024 | India vs England, 4th Test | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi | 04:00 AM GMT / 09:30 AM IST |
Mar 07 – 11, 2024 | India vs England, 5th Test | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | 04:00 AM GMT / 09:30 AM IST |
A Glimpse into the India and England Squads
India’s Squad:
- 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 Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan
England’s Squad:
- Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Fokes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the commencement of the series on January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the spotlight is on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and the team’s performance against a formidable English side. Stay tuned for gripping moments and exhilarating cricket action!