BCCI announces Indian squad for the England Test series

The BCCI has announced the Indian Test squad for the first three Test matches against England.

The biggest name to miss out is Jasprit Bumrah who has not yet recovered from his thumb injury and will miss out from the first Test of the tour. However, he will be available from the 2^nd Test onwards, fitness permitting.

JUST IN: Indian team for the first three Tests against England:

Kohli (c), Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Nair, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur#ENGvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 18, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar aggravated his injury in the 3^rd England ODI and a call on him would be made shortly.

Points to note:

– Bhuvneshwar aggravated a lower back condition in the 3rd ODI against England. His condition is being assessed and a call on him will be “made soon,” BCCI says

– Bumrah, fitness permitting, will be available for selection from the 2nd Test onward#ENGvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 18, 2018

Two surprise picks have been in the form of Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Although there were talks about Kuldeep being picked in the Test squad, it comes as a surprise that he has been included despite Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin having already cemented their spot in the squad.

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Delhi Daredevils keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has also been picked in the side on the back of good performances for India A. In the absence of Bumrah and Bhuvi, the pace bowling lineup will be shared by Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and all rounder Hardik Pandya.

“Our squad is pretty settled. We are really excited to be going into a lengthy Test series. It is going to be very challenging, but something that we are looking forward to as a side.

We want to play hard cricket. We want to play tough cricket, which I’m sure the English team would provide us. It is going to be a hard-fought series between two quality sides,” Virat Kohli said at yesterday’s post match presentation.

Wriddhiman Saha has also not recovered from his finger injury and has been replaced by Dinesh Karthik. Karthik has been in red-hot form in the IPL and is expected to be India’s first choice keeper.

Rohit Sharma has not been considered by the selectors after his dismal run in the Test series in South Africa. Instead, Karun Nair has been given the extra batting spot.

It would be interesting series as two of the best Test teams in the world lock horns. The first Test will kick off from the 1st of August.