Suresh Raina replaces Ambati Rayudu in ODI squad against England

Suresh Raina makes his comeback to the Indian ODI team.

Indian left-handed batsman Suresh Raina returns to ODI team after a long gap, as he will replace Ambati Rayudu in the squad. Rayudu failed his fitness test earlier, which was conducted in NCA, Bengaluru.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a press release announcing the decision. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Suresh Raina as Ambati Rayudu’s replacement in India’s ODI squad for the series against England,” the press release read.

“The announcement came after Rayudu failed to clear his fitness test that was held at NCA, Bengaluru on Friday, June 15, 2018.” it further added.

Ambati Rayudu last played an ODI in 2016 against Zimbabwe in Harare. However, his impressive performances in this season of IPL led him to being selected for the ODI squad against England.

Suresh Raina makes his comeback into the ODI squad after almost 3 years, having played his last in October 2015.

Along with Ambati Rayudu, India’s star bowler Mohammad Shami has also failed his fitness test. This comes as a huge blow to India as Shami was pipped to be one of the key bowlers for the test matches against England.

India A batsman Sanju Samson also failed to clear the ‘Yo-Yo’ test. His place was filled by Ishan Kishan. Samson is hence out of the India A tours to England and West Indies.

There has been no update on whether Shami remains out of the England tour. However, Shami missed the one-off test match against Afghanistan, following his failure to clear the test.

Earlier, Indian skipper Virat Kohli, former skipper MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Jasprit Bumrah and newly called-up bowler Siddharth Kaul also cleared their fitness test.

India won their one-off test match against Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs, within two days. The team will start their tour to United Kingdom with a T20I series against Ireland. It would be followed by T20Is against England.