New Delhi: Ahead of the Test tour to be held in England, the BCCI has prepared a pool of players. This pool is for the five-Test series and the India 'A' tour to be held before that. Rohit Sharma is among the 35 players who will be divided into India 'A' and Test teams. There was speculation about Rohit Sharma's place in the Test team. But it seems that the selectors and the board are still not able to decide whether the team is ready to replace him as captain on such an important tour.
The team will be announced soon
The board has started planning the trip. The selectors can select the teams by the second week of May. The biggest concern for the team is to find a stable middle-order batsman at number 5 or 6. The selectors are looking at Rajat Patidar and Karun Nair for this place. Both of them can be tried in the India 'A' series after the IPL ends on May 25.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel have not yet been included in the shortlist. A BCCI source said that Rohit Sharma is likely to go on the tour. The board feels that a strong captain is needed during the series. This tour can be as tough as the Australia tour. The team management has shown little confidence in Sarfaraz Khan's ability.
Nair-Patidar's luck will shine
Nair and Patidar are experienced red-ball players and are in good form. At least one of them is likely to be in the India 'A' team. Iyer was dropped from the team last year due to poor performance in Test cricket. A final decision is yet to be taken on this. Sai Sudharsan is being seen as the third opening batsman for the series. Kuldeep Yadav is also included in this list. Kuldeep Yadav has been out of the team in overseas Test matches for a long time. After Ravichandran Ashwin retired during the Australia tour, the selectors can include Kuldeep Yadav in the team. Kuldeep Yadav gives an attacking spin option.
Who will get a place among the fast bowlers?
The selectors will also include some fast bowlers in the team as backup for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. The selectors are concerned about the performance of Mohammed Siraj. He has not been able to perform well as a lead pacer in the absence of Bumrah and Shami. Some regular Test players may be asked to play some matches with the India 'A' team.
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