Australia are set for a potential date with the white-ball sensation Suryakumar Yadav within the Test area after he was chosen in India’s 17-man squad for the primary two video games of the eagerly awaited four-match collection subsequent month.
Another limited-overs gun Ishan Kishan has additionally been introduced into the squad however there isn’t any place for injured tempo bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah, who may additionally not be match to play within the last two matches of the collection both.
The Border-Gavaskar collection, which begins on February 9, can even see the return of India’s beneficial spinning allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, so long as he is handed match once more after his personal damage woes.
Rohit Sharma will lead a strong aspect, with Virat Kohli additionally a spearhead, although the Indian board has named the squad just for the primary half of the collection and selectors will probably re-evaluate after the opening two matches in Nagpur and Delhi.
The absence of Bumrah is a serious blow for the hosts. He had hoped to be again in business after a again drawback however has been suggested to endure one other month’s rehabilitation earlier than any determination is revamped whether or not to unleash him within the last two Tests in Dharamsala and Ahmedabad in March.
Jadeja hasn’t performed any cricket since final August after present process knee surgical procedure however appears set, as ever, to be one of many keys to India’s success.
The query stays whether or not the late-blossoming 32-year-old Suryakumar, regardless of his eye-catching T20 pyrotechnics, will even make the beginning XI, so formidable is a prime order that, even with out the injured Rishabh Pant, can boast Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.
Mohammed Shami will lead India’s assault, backed by Mohammed Siraj, who made his identify on the 20220-21 tour to Australia, with evergreen 36-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin the primary spinner, aided by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
India squad for the primary two Tests:
Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul (vice-capt), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.