India announce squad for 1st two Tests against England as 22-year-old gets maiden call up; Ishan Kishan still out

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Team India's squad for the two Test matches against England. India and England are slated to play a five-match Test series which is scheduled to start from January 25. What left everyone surprised was the inclusion of Uttar Pradesh's star batter Dhruv Jurel, who has received his maiden India call up. Dhruv is positioned as the third-choice wicketkeeper in the squad, following KL Rahul and KS Bharat. Jurel was recently acquired by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 auction.

The batting line-up will be studded with the likes of captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul.  Meanwhile, Avesh Khan joins the pace attack, which is spearheaded by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar are also included as fast bowling alternatives. Surprisingly, Prasidh Krishna, who was considered in India's Test squad for the recently-concluded South Africa series, found his name missing this time around after his lacklustre show in Rainbow Nation. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami too isn't part of India's Test set up for the initial two matches against England. India's strategy against England in home conditions will heavily depend on its spinners. Kuldeep Yadav has been chosen as additional support to the main spin trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan continued to be an absentee in India's squad after missing the Test series against South Africa followed by ongoing three-match T20I outing against Afghanistan.

India's squad first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan

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