IND vs ENG: 5 Indian players who have been left out of squad for first two tests

The Indian selectors have once again overlooked Sarfaraz Khan.

In the much-anticipated announcement of the Indian cricket team’s squad for the first two tests against England, the exclusion of certain key players has sparked conversations and raised eyebrows among fans and critics alike. With the IND vs ENG test series holding immense importance in the context of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, the omission of these players has become a focal point of discussion. Let’s delve into the notable exclusions and analyze the potential impact on Rohit Sharma’s men.

Here are five Indian players who have been left out of IND vs ENG first two tests:

1. Cheteshwar Pujara: 

In the aftermath of Cheteshwar Pujara’s monumental innings of 243* runs in the first Ranji Trophy 2023-24 game, expectations were high for his return to the national side. However, the selectors had different plans. Despite his stellar performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Pujara has found himself on the sidelines, perhaps due to a string of underwhelming displays in recent international outings. The decision to omit Pujara raises questions about the selection criteria and whether domestic form alone should be the sole parameter for a comeback.

2. Ajinkya Rahane: 

Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned campaigner in India’s middle order, has been a linchpin in crucial moments for the team. With the England series carrying significant weight in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 race, Rahane’s exclusion comes as a surprise. His experience and leadership qualities have been pivotal in the past, making his absence even more perplexing. The selectors’ decision to sideline Rahane begs the question of whether recent struggles overshadow the wealth of experience he brings to the table.

3. Ishan Kishan: 

Ishan Kishan is another player who is missing from the Indian squad for first two games of the five-match series against England. Kishan emerged as wicket-keeper in tests after the ICC WTC 2021-23 final and kept wickets until the South African tour where he pulled out citing mental health issues. This move meant that KL Rahul had to keep wickets for India in tests for the first time. It seems like Kishan is yet to make himself available for selection, reason being why he has not been named in the 16-man squad for England tests. Kishan also missed the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan for the same reason.

4. Shardul Thakur: 

Shardul Thakur, after below-par performances in the South African tour, has faced with challenge of proving his worth in domestic cricket. The selectors’ decision to drop him from the England series indicates a clear message – Thakur needs to be a standout performer in the grueling conditions of the Ranji Trophy to earn his spot back. The exclusion serves as a wake-up call for Thakur to rediscover his form and reclaim his position in the national side.

Also, it is noteworthy that Indian conditions favour spinners more and it might not have been possible to draft in Shardul Thakur in the playing XI, which might be another reason of him being not selected.

5. Sarfaraz Khan: 

Sarfaraz Khan, the Mumbai batter who has been accumulating runs for the Mumbai side over the past two domestic seasons, also finds himself out of contention despite consistent performances. Sarfaraz’s exclusion has left fans and critics wondering about the criteria used to prefer one player over another and the rationale behind such choices.

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