Dhruv Jurel earns maiden call-up as India name 16-man squad for first two Tests against England; no Shami, Ishan
India has announced its 16-man squad for the first two Tests against England, with young wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel earning his maiden call-up. However, there were some notable omissions, with fast bowler Mohammed Shami and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan not included in the squad.
Jurel, who is just 19 years old, has been in impressive form in domestic cricket and has caught the attention of the selectors. His inclusion in the squad is a testament to his talent and potential. Jurel has been a consistent performer for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and has also represented India at the Under-19 level.
The absence of Shami is a blow to the Indian team, as he has been one of their key bowlers in recent times. Shami’s ability to generate pace and movement makes him a potent threat to any batting lineup. His experience and skill will be missed in the upcoming Test series against England.
Similarly, the exclusion of Ishan Kishan comes as a surprise. Kishan has been in good form in domestic cricket and has also performed well in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has shown his ability to score runs quickly and has the potential to provide the team with valuable contributions down the order.
However, the selectors have made some interesting choices in the squad. They have included three spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel – indicating that they expect the pitches in the upcoming Tests to offer assistance to the spinners. This decision highlights the importance of spin in Indian conditions and the team’s strategy to exploit it.
The squad also includes a mix of experienced players and young talents. The likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane provide the team with stability and leadership, while the inclusion of youngsters like Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw adds excitement and flair to the batting lineup.
The fast bowling department will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, who have been in good form in recent times. They will be supported by the likes of Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini, who have shown promise in their limited opportunities at the international level.
The first two Tests against England will be crucial for India as they look to build momentum and secure a series victory. The squad selected for these matches reflects the team’s strategy and priorities for the series. The inclusion of Dhruv Jurel and the absence of Shami and Kishan will certainly be topics of discussion among fans and experts.
Overall, the squad is a balanced mix of experience and youth, and the players will be eager to make their mark in the upcoming Tests. The team will be hoping for strong performances from all the players as they aim to continue their impressive run in Test cricket and emerge victorious against a strong England side.
