Breaking News: BCCI Announces Team India's 20-Men Squad For WTC Final And England Tests

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 20-men strong squad (+ four standbys) of Team India for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand and the five-match Test series in England later in the summer.

Team India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, finished at the numero-uno spot in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship points tally following their 3-1 win against England on home soil.

The No.1 ranked Test team in the world, India will lock horns with New Zealand in the summit clash in Southampton between June 18-22 post which they will take on England in the return series, starting at Trent Bridge from August 04.

India’s squad consists of familiar names with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill as first-choice openers, and Mayank Agarwal as back-up. KL Rahul’s participation is subjected to fitness clearance.

The middle-order consists of Chetershwar Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari, who missed out on the home series against England due to hamstring injury.

Rishabh Pant is the first-choice keeper while Saha’s inclusion, like Rahul, is subjected to fitness clearance.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja lead the spin-bowling department followed by Axar Patel and Washington Sundar while Kuldeep Yadav has been dropped.

In.the pace-bowling department, Mohammed Shami returns after a prolonged gap due to injury. Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Umesh Yadav complete the pacers arena.

Team India has also named four standby players in the form of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna and Arzan Nagwaswalla, and Avesh Khan.

Team India’s squad for ICC World Test Championship and England Test series:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance). 

Standby players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla