The Indian cricket team is gearing up for their England tour next month, with a five-match test series on the cards. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member squad for the tour. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the team during a press conference, shedding light on several key decisions.
Ajit Agarkar expressed his confidence in Shubman Gill, saying, “We’ve been eyeing him for leadership since last year. He’s the best fit for the job.” Gill has been named captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Agarkar praised Pant, calling him “one of our top batsmen” and highlighting his ability to understand the game as a keeper.
Regarding fast bowler Mohammed Shami, Agarkar mentioned that his workload hasn’t been ideal. “We were hoping he’d be available, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. He’s not fully fit right now.” The selectors are unsure if Shami will be available for all five test matches, with the decision ultimately resting with the team’s physio and doctors.
Ajit Agarkar also addressed Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness issues, implying that his repeated absences have impacted his chances of becoming captain. “Even if he’s only available for three or four tests, he’s still crucial for us,” Agarkar said.
The chief selector revealed that Virat Kohli had informed the BCCI about his plans to retire from test cricket in early April. Kohli had made it clear that he intended to hang up his boots in the format.
The squad for the England tour includes:
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudarshan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akashdeep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
The team’s preparations are underway, with the first test match just around the corner. Fans will be eager to see how the new captain and his deputy perform in the series.