Not Anshul Kamboj or Sarfaraz Khan! Gautam Gambhir's favorite added to India squad for ENG Tests as backup

Neither Anshul Kamboj nor Sarfaraz Khan will be added to the India squad for the upcoming five-match Test series between India and England.

Both Kamboj and Sarfaraz impressed with their performance for India A and were expected to find a place in the main squad for the upcoming series.

Kamboj and Sarfaraz asked to leave England for India

However, both of them have been asked to leave England after the conclusion of the intra-squad match between India A and the senior Indian team.

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Sarfaraz impressed against the England Lions as well as the senior Indian team. On day 2 of the intra-squad match, Sarfaraz blasted a 76-ball century and retired after scoring 101 runs. His knock was studded with 15 fours and 2 sixes. Before that, he had also played a fine 92-run knock against England Lions in Canterbury.

On the other hand, Kamboj impressed with both bat and ball against England Lions. The highly-rated pacer picked up 5 wickets in 2 matches and scored an unbeaten fifty as well. Recent reports also suggested that the team management was keen on adding Kamboj to the main squad as a backup pacer.

No call-up for Sarfaraz and Kamboj

While many believed that either Sarfaraz or Kamboj would be added to the main squad after impressing for India A, the Indian team-management has decided otherwise. Both the players have been asked to return home after the conclusion of the intra-squad match.

While neither Sarfaraz nor Kamboj was asked to stay with the senior team, fast-bowler Harshit Rana has been asked to extend his sojourn in England. According to RevSportz, the right-arm pacer is not a part of the contingent that has been asked to return home after the intra-squad match. Rana played in the first unofficial Test against England Lions and managed to take 1 wicket.

Here is the tweet:

BREAKING: Harshit Rana is staying with the senior Indian team rest will head back.@rohitjuglan reports from England.@ThumsUpOfficial #IndiaTourofEngland #EnglandvsIndia #HarshitRana pic.twitter.com/DlMwEDVlsY

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 15, 2025

The right-arm pacer made his Test debut during the Australia tour last season. He played 2 Tests on the tour and picked up 4 wickets. Meanwhile, the much-awaited series between the Shubman Gill-led side and England will get underway on June 20. The first Test will be played in Leeds.

Also Read: Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma? Shubman Gill spills beans on the biggest influence on his captaincy