Rahane, Pujara left out again as India announce squad for first two England tests

India squad for the remainder of the series will be announced later.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) men’s national selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, on Friday, 12th January, announced a 16-man squad for the first two tests of the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

India’s core group from the last test series against South Africa has been retained while veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane failed to make a comeback into the squad, which hints at end of their respective test careers. Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has replaced fast bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the 16-member squad announced on Friday.

Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan, who took a break citing mental fatigue during the test tour of South Africa has been left out of the squad for the upcoming test series against England, at least for the first two tests.

KL Rahul, who played his first test series as wicket-keeper in India’s last test tour of South Africa, has been retained as wicket-keeper in the squad along with KS Bharat, who replaced Ishan Kishan in the South African tour last month.

Dhruv Jurel earns maiden India test call-up

Wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel, who has been traveling with the India A squad in recent times has received his maiden national test call-up for the upcoming test series against England. It will be interesting to see if he gets a nod in the Indian playing XI over the likes of KL Rahul and KS Bharat.

The remainder of the squad consists of three spin-bowling all-rounders in Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with another spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace bowling attack, also consisting of Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar and new recruit Avesh Khan. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out for at least the first of the two tests with his knee injury.

India squad for first two tests against England:

Rohit Sharma (C ), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.

India vs England test series 2024 schedule:

1st Test – 25-29 Jan, 2024, Hyderabad

2nd Test – 2-6 Feb, 2024, Vishakapatnam

3rd Test – 15-19 Feb, 2024, Rajkot

4th Test – 23-27 Feb, 2024, Ranchi

5th Test – 7-11 Mar, 2024, Dharamsala

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