IND vs ENG: 5 Indian Players Who Will Be Sidelined From WTC Squad If They Don't Perform In England Tests

IND vs ENG will be a crucial Test series for both India and England. While England has not reached any World Test Championship final, India failed to win the WTC final on both occasions.

Hence, both India and England are two top Test sides who are eager to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final. India has dropped to the 6th spot in the WTC 2025 points table after a defeat against South Africa in the 1st Test. England showed a wonderful form in Ashes 2023.

However, as the five-match series ended in a 2-2 draw, England now stands in the 8th spot in the WTC points table. India and England will need to come up with a powerful show in the IND vs ENG Test series to improve their standings in the WTC table.

Many Indian players will get chances to showcase their worth in the IND vs ENG series at home. However, some others might lose their place if they fail to impress. Below are 5 Indian players who will be sidelined from the WTC squad if they don’t perform in the IND vs ENG series.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: 3 Indian Players Who Can Make Their Test Debut

IND vs ENG: 5 Indian Players Who Will Be Sidelined From WTC Squad If They Don’t Perform In England Tests

5. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is the first player on this list. Rahane was part of the previous Test series against West Indies. However, he was snubbed from the ongoing series against South Africa. The right-handed batsman made a comeback to the Test team in the ICC WTC final 2023, where he scored the lone half-century for Team India.

Rahane might be brought back for the IND vs ENG Test series. However, since the Mumbai player was already dropped from the Test side once, he cannot afford to lose the spot once again. If Ajinkya Rahane fails to come up with a brilliant show against England, he might lose his spot in the WTC squad.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: India Test Squad for England Series

4. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara has not played any Test since the ICC WTC final 2023 defeat to Australia. Like Rahane, Pujara is a Test specialist batsman. However, the right-handed batsman has averaged 25+ in 2023.

He has also failed to smash any century or half-century across his 8 innings in 2023. Pujara is a crucial middle-order batsman for the team and might get a chance in the IND vs ENG Test series. However, if he again fails to impress, he can lose his spot in the WTC squad.

3. KS Bharat

KS Bharat made his international debut for India in 2023 during the Test series against Australia. The wicketkeeper came to the forefront due to Rishabh Pant’s absence. However, KS Bharat has been quite unsuccessful with the bat.

The right-handed batsman has failed to hit any fifty in 8 innings so far. He averages 18+ across 5 Tests. He failed to smash a big knock in the home series against Australia in March. Now, he needs to perform in the IND vs ENG series if he gets a chance.

Notably, wicketkeepers like KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are in queue to grab a Test spot. In addition, Rishabh Pant has also recovered from his car accident and is set to take the field soon. Hence, KS Bharat will have to pull up his socks during the IND vs ENG Test series.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Snubbed As Harsha Bhogle Picks Test Team Of The Year 2023

2. Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat registered an unwanted record after making a comeback to Tests after 10 years in November 2022 in the Bangladesh series. Notably, Unadkat made a comeback after featuring in just 1 Test match.  However, his happiness was short-lived as he was snubbed after India’s defeat in the ICC WTC 2023 final.

Unadkat gave a wonderful show in Ranji Trophy 2023 season, where he led Saurashtra to the title with his impeccable bowling show. If the left-arm seamer gets a chance in the IND vs ENG Test series, he will need to come up with an impressive show. Otherwise, selectors might drop him from the WTC squad.

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1. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur became a regular member of the Test side with his ability to grab wickets as well as smash runs as a tailender. Notably, Shardul Thakur impressed with his performance during the Test series victory in Australia in January 2021.

However, in 2023, the right-arm seamer has struggled in both departments. For instance, Thakur picked just 4 wickets in 4 innings in 2023. With the bat, he has piled up just 77 runs in 4 innings with one fifty.

Since young pacers like Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Avesh Khan are entering the Test side, Thakur needs to arrive with a stupendous show in the IND vs ENG series to confirm his spot in the WTC squad. Otherwise, he might get dropped from the longest format.