India has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-Test series against Australia, set to begin on November 22. The selection features three uncapped players: opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, fast bowler Harshit Rana, and allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Key Players Missing From The Squad
The excluded players are fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from his ankle surgery, and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, suffering from a chronic groin issue. Traveling reserve duo Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed also cut.
Rohit Sharma To Lead The Squad
Rohit Sharma will captain the team, with Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. However, Rohit is expected to miss one of the first two Tests for personal reasons, which may open the door for Easwaran, who is in stellar form. The 29-year-old has scored two centuries in the Duleep Trophy and added another in the Irani Trophy, kicking off the Ranji Trophy season with yet another ton for Bengal.
Spin All-rounders And New Faces
India’s spin department includes seasoned allrounders Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar. Sundar recently made a successful return to Test cricket with a ten-wicket haul against New Zealand.
Reddy, just 21 years old, is the only seam-bowling allrounder in the squad. After making his T20I debut against Bangladesh earlier this month, he is currently in Australia with India A, where he is gaining valuable experience.
Fast Bowling Line-Up
In addition to Bumrah, the fast bowling contingent comprises Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. Prasidh has returned from a serious back injury and has played two Tests. Meanwhile, Rana has impressed with 36 wickets at an average of 24.75 in first-class cricket, showcasing his potential with two four-wicket hauls in the Duleep Trophy.
Tour Schedule And Outlook
India’s tour begins with a warm-up match against India A in Perth from November 15 to 17. The first Test will be played at Perth Stadium from November 22 to 26, followed by a tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI on November 30 and December 1. The series will continue with a day-night Test in Adelaide, a Test in Brisbane, and conclude with the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
As the holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India aims to replicate their previous successes in Australia, having won two out of the last three series tours by a margin of 2-1.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar
