New Delhi: The BCCI on Saturday announced the squad for Test series against England, naming Shubman Gill as the new Test captain of Team India. Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been chosen as the new vice-captain in Test cricket. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah misses out on a leadership role. Pacer Mohammed Shami and batter Shreyas Iyer were left out of the squad. The announcement was made by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. A new era is expected to begin for India, following the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Full India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Gill is long-term India captain, not makeshift option
According to reports, Shubman Gill appears to be ear-marked as India’s long-term captain, and not as a makeshift option. The 25-year-old is here to stay. He had been appointed vice-captain in white ball formats earlier. Now, he has been given the big responsibility. “You don’t select a captain for one or two series, you have to plan for the longer term. We are hopeful that he will learn with time,” said Agarkar while speaking about Gill.
Why was Pant named vice-captain?
In the past 5 years, Rishabh Pant has been one of India’s best performers. Agarkar heaped praise on him, after he was named vice-captain.”Pant is the vice-captain, one of our best batters. A keeper can always see the game well. That is why he is Gill’s deputy. We are looking at guys who can take the team forward,” he added.
Bumrah Vs Gill debate: ‘We wanted Bumrah more as player’
On the Gill vs Bumrah captaincy race, Agarkar said: “I think we wanted Bumrah more as a player. It’s always extra burden when you are managing 15-16 people. It takes a lot out of you. We would rather have him as a bowler.” Ajit Agarkar has cleared the air around Bumrah. “Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah won’t be available for all five Tests against England from what physiotherapists have told us,” he said.
On the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin: “When guys like Rohit, Virat and Ashwin retire, they are always big holes to fill. Those three have been stalwarts. Always difficult. One way of looking at it is, opportunity for someone else. Had conversations with both of them. Virat reached out early April, seen him give 200 per cent on every ball he plays, even when he’s not batting or on the field. He felt he’d given everything he had, if he can’t keep up to the standards it was time for him. It’s come from him. Have to respect that. They’ve earned that respect,” Agarkar said.
Breakdown of India’s squad for the England tour from June 20:
Batters: Gill, Jaiswal, Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Easwaran
Wicketkeepers: Pant, Jurel
All-rounders: Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Sundar, Shardul
Fast bowlers: Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh, Akash Deep, Arshdeep
Spinners: Kuldeep
