(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Team India announced their 16-member squad for the first two Tests of the series against England on Friday.
A surprise inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel highlighted the squad as he comes in place of Ishan Kishan, who as revealed by Rahul Dravid is on a mental fatigue break and would have to play domestic cricket to come back to the Indian side.
Prasidh Krishna, who made his Test debut recently in South Africa, is also not among the selected players. The pacer has sustained a quadriceps injury in a Ranji Trophy game between Karnataka and Gujarat.
Mohammad Shami too is recovering from an ankle injury and does not feature in the squad.
India’s batting contingent comprises of captain Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.
Three wicket-keepers, KL Rahul, KS Bharat and Jurel, have been picked.
Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are the spin-bowling all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav is another spinner in the pool of players.
Jasprit Bumrah is named the vice-captain and will lead the fast-bowling unit with the aid of Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan.
The first Test of the five-match series will commence on January 25 in Hyderabad.
India squad for first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan.