India's Test Squad for England: Surprising Exclusions and New Faces
India's Upcoming Test Series in England
As India prepares for a crucial five-match Test series against England starting June 20, the announcement of the squad has ignited significant debate. The notable absence of Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer has raised eyebrows, especially following the retirements of seasoned players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
In a surprising twist, selectors have recalled Karun Nair after nearly eight years and awarded Sai Sudharsan his first call-up. This decision has led to speculation about whether Nair's inclusion has come at the cost of Sarfaraz and Iyer's opportunities in the Test format.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 18-member Test squad for the England tour, catching many off guard. With two batting spots available due to Kohli and Rohit's retirements, many expected Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom have played in recent Tests, to be selected. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, opted for a different approach.
Karun Nair, who last played a Test match in 2017, made a comeback following an outstanding domestic season. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan's consistent performances at the domestic level earned him his first call-up. As a result, Sarfaraz and Iyer were omitted, prompting mixed reactions from fans and analysts.
Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan shared his thoughts on the selection choices during the 12th episode of OTTPlay’s "Bails and Banter." He suggested that the exclusions of Sarfaraz and Iyer were influenced more by perceptions than actual performance, emphasizing concerns about their ability to adapt to English conditions.
Wassan noted, "Sarfaraz scored three fifties and a century but wasn’t given a chance in Australia. There’s a perception that he might struggle overseas. Similarly, with Shreyas Iyer, people feel he hasn’t proven enough in red-ball cricket. Meanwhile, the buzz around Karun Nair has been strong. Sometimes, the team management has to trust their instincts."
Sarfaraz Khan's brief Test career has had its highlights. Earlier this year, he impressed with a score of 62 against England, only to be run out due to a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja. He followed that with an unbeaten 68 and later achieved his maiden Test century (150) against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite these promising performances, he was not selected for the Australia series and has now been excluded from the England tour squad.
Shreyas Iyer last played in the previous England series before a back injury sidelined him. Although he made a strong comeback in limited-overs cricket, playing a vital role in India’s Champions Trophy campaign, his position in the Test squad remains uncertain. His omission from the BCCI’s central contracts earlier this year hinted at the precarious nature of his Test career.
In contrast, Karun Nair has made a strong case for his selection. He scored 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches and 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, demonstrating impressive consistency. His recent form seems to have convinced the selectors that he deserves another opportunity in Test cricket.
As the series against England approaches, the cricketing community will closely monitor how these selection decisions unfold on the field. For Sarfaraz and Iyer, the challenge is to continue performing and earn a return, while Nair and Sudharsan aim to make their impact on the grand stage.