The long-awaited India Test team for the England tour will be announced on May 24 (Saturday), sources indicated on Thursday. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and selector chairman Ajit Agarkar are likely to conduct a joint press conference on Saturday afternoon to declare India’s team for the five-match Test series from June 20.
“The squad is ready. The head coach and chief selector will announce it on Saturday,” said a BCCI official. The time of the press conference will be released by BCCI shortly.
The selectors have to make key choices, none more significant than the captaincy. With Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket and Virat Kohli’s exit from the format, the leadership has changed hands. The focus is squarely on two aggressive captains: the classy top-order batter Shubman Gill and the belligerent pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, both competing for the much sought leadership position.
Shubman Gill: A Long-Term Bet in Test Cricket
Shubman Gill, also proving maturity ahead of time with the bat, has become a likely long-term captaincy prospect. His cool temperament and thoughtfulness, seen in recent domestic and in IPL for Gujarat Titans, are strong arguments. If he is entrusted with the job, it will be a clear indication from the selectors to bet big on a future leader. But his relative inexperience of Test captaincy at the international level continues to be a point of debate. Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, with his cricketing acumen and tested leadership by being able to lead from the front, is a more short-term answer.
Bumrah’s Case: Impact and Concerns
His short but impactful stints as stand-in captain have given him the recognition he deserves, showing him getting the flow of the game. The main issue with Bumrah’s captaincy, though, is dealing with his workload as an important fast bowler, particularly in challenging English conditions. The selectors will balance Gill’s potential against Bumrah’s experience and short-term impact. Aside from the captaincy, the all-important No. 4 batting slot is also a contentious issue.
Middle Order Puzzle and Possible Inclusions
With established players possibly changing roles or coming under heavy pressure, the door could be opened for one or two unexpected inclusions. Karun Nair, a name that has been forever linked with a triple century in Test cricket. He may find himself back in the running. His experience and capacity to score big innings may prove to be incalculably useful in English conditions. Another strong candidate is KL Rahul, whose adaptability makes him capable of batting anywhere in the top order. His recent Test performances, which have been a combination of aggression and resilience, make him a favourite to cement the middle order.
India A Tour: Key to Preparation for Test Tour in England
In a tactically calculated step towards best possible preparation, some of the fringe players and those targeted for the Test team are likely to leave early for England. This group will play a vital India A series against England Lions, gaining priceless acclimatisation to the home conditions as well as match practice.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Reddy Kumar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Harshit Rana, and Anshul Kamboj, all of whom have a high possibility of becoming members of the main Test team, are included in the India A team.
