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Team India (Source: Twitter)
The Indian men's selection committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 30, to discuss the makeup of the Indian squad for the remaining three Tests against England. With India trailing 0-1 in the series after their 28-run loss in the Hyderabad Test, the pressure is on the home team, led by Rohit Sharma, to bounce back following England's impressive performance at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
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It is expected that the panel will mostly stick with the current squad, with perhaps a few changes here and there. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Sourabh Kumar have been called up for the second Test, which is set to begin on Friday, February 2, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Sarfaraz and Sourabh, both receiving their maiden call-ups, impressed during the India A's series against England Lions. Sundar, returning to Test cricket after 2021, adds depth to the squad. However, Team India faces setbacks with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the second Test due to injuries. Rahul's hamstring issue and Jadeja's right quadriceps problems have sidelined them. Their absence poses challenges for India as they aim to bounce back in the series.
Virat Kohli unlikely to return for last three Test matches
The uncertainty surrounding Virat Kohli's return continues to be a topic of intense speculation. Kohli opted out of the initial two matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam due to 'personal reasons', with Rajat Patidar named as his replacement by the Indian Cricket Board. Whether Kohli will feature in the final three matches of the series is yet to be decided by the selectors.
Moreover, there will be discussions that will persist regarding Shubman Gill's role in the Indian team, although indications suggest he is likely to retain his place. The potential comeback of Cheteshwar Pujara is also of interest among cricket enthusiasts. However, Mohammed Shami is unlikely to participate in the upcoming matches as he is currently in London. The upcoming Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala present opportunities for India to turn the series in their favour.