The Indian team for the 5-match Test series in England has been announced. This comes after a significant shake-up in the team, with Test captain Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket earlier this month, followed by star player Virat Kohli’s announcement to step away from the format.
Rohit’s retirement, in particular, left a gaping hole at the top of the order, a position he had made his own. Now, with Kohi’s departure, the team needed not just a new opener but also a middle-order batsman. The selectors have opted for Sai Sudarshan to fill the void left by Rohit. Sudarshan has been in blistering form in the IPL 2024, topping the run-scoring charts with 628 runs in 13 matches. It’s likely he’ll open the batting alongside another player in England.
To replace Kohli, the team has called up Karun Nair. Although it’s not clear where Nair will bat, his inclusion is a nod to his past performances, including an unbeaten triple century in international cricket. Nair last played a Test for India about eight years ago. With Kohli’s spot up for grabs, captain Shubman Gill might move up to bat at number three, a position that requires solidity and the ability to anchor the innings.
The new-look team will face a stern test in England, where the conditions are expected to be challenging. The series promises to be a thrilling contest, with the young Indian team looking to make a statement. The selectors have taken a bold step by blooding new talent, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs without two of its stalwarts.