Following the recent replacements for the injured KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the second Test against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee is poised to convene and finalize the squad for the remaining three Tests. The selectors are anticipated to hold a formal meeting regarding the selection for the upcoming matches of the Test series on January 30, although the board has not yet made an official announcement.
While the squad is expected to largely remain unchanged, the return of Virat Kohli remains uncertain.
Virat Kohli’s Potential Return:
Kohli opted to withdraw from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons. The BCCI extended its support to the former captain but did not disclose the specifics behind his sudden withdrawal. The press release from the Indian board confirmed Kohli’s absence from the initial two matches. However, there has been no update regarding his return. The star batter appears to be navigating a challenging personal phase, refraining from engaging on social media platforms. Whether he will make a comeback for the final three matches of the series remains to be seen.
On Monday, the BCCI included Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar in the Test squad for the second match in Vizag, following injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Although Rahul’s injury appears to be minor, reports suggest that Jadeja may face a more extended recovery period. With Kuldeep Yadav awaiting an opportunity on the sidelines, the selection of spinners for the second Test poses a challenge for the team management.
Washington Sundar has been enlisted as a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja, while Kuldeep offers a more specialized spin option. Following India’s defeat in the first Test, certain players are under scrutiny, and the BCCI might consider introducing fresh faces in an attempt to stage a comeback.
India’s Updated Squad for the 2nd Test vs England:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shreyas Iyer
- KS Bharat (WK)
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohd. Siraj
- Mukesh Kumar
- Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
- Avesh Khan
- Rajat Patidar
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Washington Sundar
- Sourabh Kumar.
As the anticipation builds, cricket enthusiasts await the finalization of the Indian squad for the upcoming Tests against England, keeping a keen eye on Virat Kohli’s potential return and the strategic selection choices made by the BCCI.
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