Bumrah and Kuldeep Make India's Champions Trophy Squad, Siraj Left Out
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Jasprit Bumrah has been selected for India's Champions Trophy squad starting February 19, pending fitness. Ajit Agarkar is hopeful about his recovery. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain, while Mohammed Siraj has been excluded. India will play England in three ODIs before the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Bumrah's fitness is crucial for India's squad.
- Shubman Gill appointed vice-captain.
- Mohammed Siraj excluded from the team.
- Kuldeep Yadav returns after injury.
- India's matches will be held in Dubai.
Mumbai, Jan 18 (NationPress) Fast-bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India's squad for the Champions Trophy set to commence on February 19. However, his selection is contingent upon his recovery ahead of the tournament, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressing hope for his availability.
Bumrah was unable to bowl during the second innings of the Sydney Test due to back spasms, raising doubts regarding his fitness for India's forthcoming white-ball fixtures. “Bumrah was instructed to rest for five weeks; the BCCI will release a statement from the medical team. We are optimistic that he will be fit after the first week of February,” Agarkar stated in a press conference that was delayed by over two hours at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
Shubman Gill, who opens alongside Rohit Sharma, has been appointed vice-captain for the ODIs against England and the prestigious eight-team ICC tournament.
In preparation for the three ODIs against England, seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has been selected. Notably, pacer Mohammed Siraj has been omitted, as the team has chosen to include left-arm fast-bowler Arshdeep Singh.
Additionally, the squad features promising young left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been sidelined since October last year due to hernia surgery.
India is scheduled to play three ODIs against England on February 6, 9, and 12 in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad, leading up to the Champions Trophy starting on February 19.
India is placed in Group A and will host their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, as they did not receive governmental approval to travel to Pakistan. As two-time Champions Trophy victors, India will initiate their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, and then face New Zealand on March 2.
India squad for the England ODI series and Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (vc), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Harshit Rana (for England ODIs only).
