NEW DELHI: India’s batting mainstays Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, have retired from Test cricket, while star pacer Mohammed Shami will miss the crucial five-match series in England due to fitness issues. All eyes are now on the Shubman Gill-led Indian side, widely regarded as one of the most inexperienced teams to tour England in recent memory.Without the presence of Kohli and Rohit, India’s batting line-up appears notably depleted. Could the selectors have considered recalling experienced campaigners like Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane to strengthen the top order?During a recent interview, Pujara was asked whether Gautam Gambhir had reached out to him regarding the England tour.“No, not yet,” Pujara told Lallantop when asked, “Have you received a phone call from Gambhir yet?”The 103-Test veteran expressed his readiness to return if given the opportunity.
“I am ready. I don’t know if they will take me or not. But if I get a chance, yes, it will be an honour to represent the country again. As a cricketer, you always feel that as long as you are fit, as long as you are contributing, and if I have a good performance in domestic cricket, and I am preparing well, if I get a chance, yes, I will be more than happy to be part of the team,” Pujara said.Shubman Gill has been handed the responsibility of leading the Indian Test team through a “massive transition” period, with the dynamic Rishabh Pant appointed as his deputy for what is expected to be a stern challenge in English conditions.At just 25, Gill becomes India’s fifth youngest Test captain, following in the footsteps of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (21), Sachin Tendulkar (23), Kapil Dev (24), and Ravi Shastri (25). The first Test against England is scheduled to begin on June 20 in Leeds.
“Last year or so we have looked at Shubman (for leadership). We are hopeful he is the guy who is going (to take the team forward). It is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player. We wish him all the best,” said chief selector Ajit Agarkar after announcing the 18-member squad, which included no major surprises.Explaining Pant’s appointment as vice-captain, Agarkar added: “Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that’s why he is Shubman’s deputy.”The squad also features maiden Test call-ups for promising left-hander B Sai Sudharsan and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
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