Delhi's young wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant is the only new name in India's squad for the Test series against England starting from August 1. (READ IN HINDI)
The All-India Senior Selection Committee met in Leeds to pick the Indian cricket team for the first three Tests of the upcoming 5-match Test series against England, starting August 1 in Birmingham.
Tamil Nadu batsman Dinesh Karthik has been selected as the first-choice wicket-keeper as Test regular Wriddhiman Saha is currently nursing an injury. Also, IPL XI sensation Pant has been handed a maiden Test call-up as a reserve stumper.
Meanwhile, white-ball specialist Rohit Sharma misses out on his Test spot as the selectors look to continue with Ajinkya Rahane - who already has a century at Lord's in 2014.
The board also mentioned that fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar's condition is being assessed by its medical team and a call on his inclusion in the Test squad will be made soon.
Bhuvneshwar, who missed out on a number of matches on the current tour owing to a stiff lower back, returned to action in the 3rd ODI against England. However, it only resulted in Bhuvneshwar aggrevating his condition.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who has been included in the squad, is also not fully fit and will miss the first Test. Thereafter, he should be available for selection subject to his recovery.
Mohammed Shami, who was dropped from the Afghanistan game after failing the fitness test, has made his way back.
The committee also selected the Board President XI team that is scheduled to play a three-day warm-up game against South Africa ‘A’ in Belgaum from July 30.
India’s squad for first three Tests against England: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur.
BP XI for warm-up fixture against South Africa ‘A’: Ishan Kishan (C & WK), RR Sanjay, AR Eshwaran, Dhruv Shorey, Anmolpreet Singh, Ricky Bhui, Jalaj Saxena, Siddhesh Lad, Mihir Hirwani, DA Jadeja, Avesh Khan, Shivam Mavi, Ishaan Porel, Atith Seth.
