Dhruv Jurel’s Maiden Call-Up: The 22-year-old Dhruv Jurel has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the first two Tests against England. His inclusion is seen as a back-up wicketkeeping option.
Squad for First Two Tests: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 16-man squad for the initial two Tests against England, scheduled to commence on January 25.
Ishan Kishan’s Absence: Notably, Ishan Kishan is not included in the squad. The young wicketkeeper-batsman reportedly took a break from cricket, citing mental fatigue. This has paved the way for Dhruv Jurel to be the back-up wicketkeeper.
Mohammed Shami’s Ongoing Recovery: Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami is not part of the squad as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign in November. Despite his optimism about returning to Test cricket, the selectors seem to have opted for a cautious approach.
Fast-Bowling Challenges: The absence of Shami adds to India’s fast-bowling challenges. With Prasidh Krishna also not included due to a reported quadriceps injury suffered during a Ranji Trophy clash, India’s fast-bowling lineup faces some changes.
Shami’s Test Comeback Delayed: Shami, who expressed optimism about returning to the Test squad, might face a delayed comeback due to the selectors’ decision to give him additional rest for precautionary reasons ahead of the series against England.
Injury to Prasidh Krishna: The fast-bowling woes deepen with Prasidh Krishna ruled out due to a quadriceps injury sustained during a Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat. This further depletes India’s pace options for the upcoming Tests.
Selectors’ Precautionary Move: The selectors appear to be taking a precautionary approach, possibly to ensure the fitness and availability of key players during the crucial stages of the Test series against England.
Test Series Against England: The Test series against England is highly anticipated, and India would want to field their best available players to secure positive results against a formidable opponent.
Opportunity for New Faces: The absence of Ishan Kishan and the injured Shami and Prasidh Krishna opens up opportunities for new faces in the squad, providing a chance for younger players to showcase their skills at the international level.