India Test Squad Update: No Virat Kohli; Latest on Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Siraj

To select the India team for the final three Test matches against England, the senior men’s BCCI selection committee, chaired by former spinner Ajit Agarkar, will meet virtually on Thursday. Rohit Sharma, the captain, and head coach Rahul Dravid will most likely also be present during the selection meeting. Remarkably, when India defeated England in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, Rohit and Agarkar had a long conversation practically immediately. It is by no means going to be an easy selection meeting. While numerous questions remain, none is more important than whether or not Virat Kohli will be available.

According to Report, Kohli is doubtful for the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala and will not be available for the third and fourth Tests after missing the first two in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. According to reports, the former captain told Rohit and the selectors of his choice. However, given that they anticipate a close series, the selectors might hold off on announcing the squad till after Kohli’s decision in the penultimate Test, which will be held in Rajkot and Ranchi.Mohammed Shami, a pacer, is another significant player who is unlikely to participate in the series. The seasoned fast bowler’s ankle injury from the ODI World Cup is still not totally healed.

India, on the other hand, has advanced somewhat.The two injured players who missed the second Test, K.L. Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, are probably going to be in the lineup for the next two Tests.In the first game of the series, Jadeja hurt his hamstring trying to score, and Rahul was out due to a quadriceps issue. They are both currently students at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The selectors are confident about Rahul and Jadeja’s return, even if the NCA medics have not yet given the BCCI their final assessment. The third Test at Rajkot is still a week away, and both players seem to be recovering nicely.

Siraj set to return; Bumrah won’t be rested from third Test

It is also announced that pacer Mohammed Siraj, who was cut from the team for the second Test, will rejoin the team to split the workload with Jasprit Bumrah. Since the Indian team management is hesitant to use four spinners, Siraj is practically guaranteed to replace Mukesh Kumar, who battled with his line and length in the previous Test, in the starting XI in Rajkot right away.

Also Read: MS Dhoni Heartwarming New Bat Sticker for IPL 2024 Sets Social Media Ablaze

Bumrah is expected to play in Rajkot but may be rested for the third Test. Just now, he was thought to be the best Test bowler. The management of the team does not want to bench Bumrah at this critical juncture because he has led India’s bowling assault. Furthermore, it’s thought that Bumrah’s workload can be adequately managed throughout the nine days that separate the second and third Tests. But, given the narrow margin of victory between them, there’s a good chance Bumrah would be rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi if India wins the third.The current standings in the five-match series are 1-1. Because a win in that match would put the team in an advantageous position, the third Test match is extremely important.