Ravi Shastri Unveils New Test Squad Strategy for India Ahead of England Series
India's New Era in Test Cricket
New Delhi, June 17: Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has suggested a revamped lineup as India enters a new phase in Test cricket, following the retirements of key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, according to the official ICC website.
With Kohli and Rohit stepping away from Test cricket, the newly appointed captain Shubman Gill leads an 18-player squad into a challenging first series against the second-ranked team in unfamiliar conditions, as part of the new World Test Championship cycle.
During an episode of The ICC Review, Shastri proposed a left-right batting combination for the opening Test against England, set to commence on June 20 in Leeds, including a debutant at the number three position.
“I would choose (Yashasvi) Jaiswal to open alongside KL Rahul, as this is a significant tour for him. He is the most seasoned batsman in the lineup,” Shastri stated while outlining his team, as reported by the ICC.
“He opened during India's last tour of England, scored a century, and had a successful outing. I expect him to start the innings,” he added.
“At number three, I would opt for the young talent, Sai Sudarshan,” he continued. “From what I’ve observed, he is quite impressive. This tour will provide him with valuable experience.”
Shastri's top three are complemented by the new Test captain at number four, with Gill stepping into this role after 32 matches in red-ball cricket.
Gill was previously considered unfortunate to lose his spot in the Indian XI during the series loss in Australia, but he returned at number three when Sharma was absent for the final Test in Sydney, filling in for Rahul, who moved up to open.
Regarding the batting order for the first Test, Shastri acknowledged that the decision might depend on current form, but he has faith in Karun Nair, who has experience in county cricket and has made a long-awaited return to the squad.
“Most likely, based on form, it will be Karun Nair at number five. It has been a while since he played for India. Rishabh Pant will take the number six spot,” he mentioned.
“Nair has put in significant effort to return to the team. His performance in first-class cricket has been remarkable,” Shastri noted.
“I met him during an IPL match and advised him to not just knock on the door but to kick it down and secure his place in the team. He has certainly done that, as his impressive run tally has caught the selectors' attention,” he added.
The composition of India's bowling attack remains a topic of discussion. Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the primary spinner at number seven, while Shastri faces critical decisions regarding the number eight position and the fast-bowling lineup.
Two fast-bowling all-rounders are vying for one spot, and the choice between Prasidh Krishna and left-arm bowler Arshdeep Singh may depend on the conditions.
“I would select three fast bowlers, along with Shardul Thakur,” he stated.
“It will be a tough decision between Shardul and Nitish Reddy, but we need to assess their bowling workload. If Reddy can deliver 12 to 14 overs, he might get the nod due to his batting capabilities,” he explained.
“The three fast bowlers I would choose are Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah,” Shastri concluded.
“In Leeds, if the weather is overcast, there might be a temptation to include left-armer Ashdeep Singh as well. So it could be Prasidh Krishna or Ashdeep, but the other two will definitely be Siraj and Bumrah,” he noted.