Ravi Shastri Advocates for Left-Arm Pacer Inclusion in India's Test Squad for England Tour
Shastri's Call for a Left-Arm Bowler
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 2: Former Indian cricket coach and player Ravi Shastri has emphasized the need for a left-arm fast bowler in the Indian squad for the upcoming five-Test series in England. He believes that Arshdeep Singh could be a valuable addition due to his strategic bowling approach.
The series, which marks the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, will kick off on June 20 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This series is particularly significant for India following their recent home series defeat against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In a recent episode of The ICC Review, Shastri stated, "I will be looking for a left-armer. I will monitor which left-arm bowler is performing well and aim to include him as the sixth bowling option."
He added, "It could be anyone, even a white-ball specialist. I dislike the label of someone like Arshdeep Singh being termed a 'white-ball specialist.' I will closely observe his red-ball performance and the number of overs he can bowl. If he can deliver 15-20 overs, he could be a strong contender because he possesses the right mindset. He is a strategic bowler, and I need a left-arm option. That's essential."
Shastri further urged selectors to find the best left-arm bowler available, mentioning Khaleel Ahmed as a potential candidate due to his good rhythm and performance.
Both Arshdeep and Khaleel have participated in India's limited-overs teams but have yet to debut in Test cricket. Arshdeep has excelled in T20Is, becoming the team's all-time leading wicket-taker with 99 wickets in 63 matches. He has also claimed 14 wickets in nine ODIs, including a five-wicket haul in South Africa.
In red-ball cricket, Arshdeep has taken 66 wickets in 21 first-class matches. His recent experience with Kent in the 2024 County Championship, where he secured 13 wickets in five games, has provided him with valuable exposure to English conditions.
Khaleel has also caught the attention of selectors, having taken 52 wickets in 19 first-class matches. He was part of the Australia tour, initially with India A and later as a reserve for the Border-Gavaskar series, though an injury limited his participation. He has taken 15 wickets in 11 ODIs and 16 wickets in 18 T20Is for India.
In the current IPL season, Khaleel has been impressive during the powerplay, taking 14 wickets at an average of 22.57 in 10 matches, while Arshdeep has claimed 13 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.15.
Shastri also mentioned the possibility of Shreyas Iyer returning to the Test squad, especially after his recent inclusion in India's central contract list. Iyer has performed well in sub-continental conditions, amassing 736 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 43.29.
However, his opportunities outside Asia have been limited, with only 75 runs in three matches, including appearances in South Africa and one in England. Shastri remarked, "He (Shreyas Iyer) can make a comeback, but it will be competitive. In white-ball cricket, he is certain, but in Test cricket, we need to evaluate the other players available."