The Indian team began the first match of the five-match Test series against England in Hyderabad from today (January 25). Team India's playing eleven was very interesting in this test. The playing eleven for the match was related to the Test played against the West Indies in Kolkata in 2011. There is also a special connection with Virat Kohli, who pulled out of the first two games.
Let us tell you that this happened for the first time since the Test against West Indies in Kolkata in 2011 when none of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were included in India's playing XI. Looking at this interesting thing, one can say that now there is either a disintegration in Team India or the old players are moving away.
Although Virat Kohli was selected in the Indian squad for the first two Tests, he withdrew his name due to personal reasons.
Apart from this, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were not included in the Indian squad. Both players have been away from the team for some time. Pujara played his last Test against Australia between June 7 and 11, 2023, the final of the World Test Championship. Apart from this, Rahane played his last Test of 2023 between July 20 and 24 against West Indies.
We tell you that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were among the key players in the Indian Test team but both are not in the team. Pujara has played 103 Tests for India so far. Additionally, Rahane has played 85 red-ball matches for Men in Blue.