Team India has been announced for the five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20 in Leeds. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, a young Indian brigade is ready to usher in a new era in Indian cricket. This series marks the beginning of a new cycle of the World Test Championship for India and will also be their first Test series after the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Following the squad announcement, questions are being raised about India’s new top order and which players will bat in which positions. Even the batting position of captain Shubman Gill remains uncertain. However, former India cricketer Anil Kumble has attempted to answer these questions by revealing his playing XI.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Kumble said, “From what I’ve heard, Shubman will bat at No. 4. If that happens, and the new captain bats in that position, then KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal can open the innings.” Kumble further added that for the No. 3 position, either Abhimanyu Easwaran or B Sai Sudharsan should be given a chance.
For the No. 5 slot, Kumble picked Rishabh Pant and placed Karun Nair at No. 6. Ravindra Jadeja was slotted at No. 7, while Shardul Thakur was picked as the all-rounder depending on conditions. In the pace department, he chose Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, and Akash Deep.
Kumble also mentioned that if Shubman Gill decides to bat at No. 3, he would prefer Karun Nair at No. 4 and Dhruv Jurel at No. 6, explaining that it wouldn’t make sense to have Jurel at No. 3 or Sudharsan/Easwaran at No. 6.
Shubman Gill has been named the new Test captain for the England tour, while Rishabh Pant has been appointed vice-captain. Karun Nair has made a comeback to the Indian squad, and B Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran have also earned selections. The selectors announced an 18-member squad on Saturday.
Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the pace-bowling all-rounders in the squad, while the fast bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah, includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. The spin department will be led by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
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Notably, Sarfaraz Khan has been left out, and senior pacer Mohammed Shami has also not made the cut due to fitness issues. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged the challenges of the England tour but expressed full faith in Gill, who replaces Rohit Sharma after his retirement from Tests following a poor run, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Anil Kumble’s Playing XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran/B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep
India’s Squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & WK), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
