ENG Vs IND: India Name 18-man Squad for First Three Tests Against England, Mohammed Shami Returns

Premier India pacer, Mohammed Shami, who missed the historic Afghanistan Test in Bengaluru after failing to clear the much-touted Yo-Yo test, has finally returned to the Test squad against England.

Young southpaw Rishabh Pant is added as the backup wicketkeeper. Furthermore, paceman Jasprit Bumrah also made it to the Test side despite picking his injury recently.

Shardul Thakur has also received a call-up. Moreover, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who performed brilliantly in the limited-overs format is also included in the Test squad.

Meanwhile, India will play a five-match Test series against the hosts commencing on August 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Skipper Virat Kohli and his company will have some time in hand to recover from the ODI series loss.

The hosts came back from behind to win the series 2-1 following their eight-wicket win at Headingley in Leeds.

Mohammed Shami, marred by personal problems will look to get his form back after having a poor stint in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Possessing the capability to swing the ball both ways, he will be crucial to India’s chances. On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma will retain their respective positions.

The national selectors have brought in Kuldeep Yadav as backed by many former cricketers. Kuldeep has been in brilliant form on this tour despite going wicket-less in the final One-day International. He will form a new partnership with senior campaigner Ravichandran Ashwin owing to this all-important tour.

Ravindra Jadeja, who made the Test spot his own, was a mere passenger in South Africa. As a result, the selection committee headed by MSK Prasad will give a nod for the young spinner for the final XI.

Dinesh Karthik, who made a comeback in the Test squad after eight years against Afghanistan will retain his spot. First-choice skipper Wriddhiman Saha is still nursing his thumb injury, he sustained during the T20 league. Rishabh Pant, who is currently in England with the India A squad will join the team as the second kipper.

Otherwise, it will be an obvious squad with the visitors going in three openers in the form of Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul.

Cheteshwar Pujara has retained his one drop spot while skipper Virat Kohli makes a return to the squad after missing the Afghanistan Test.

Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma strengthened the middle-order line-up. Whereas, Hardik Pandya will be the sole all-rounder for the grueling Test series.

Indian Test team for first 3 Tests… Three spinners and Rishabh Pant as second keeper to DK. No Rohit. #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/81uSbgu8wW

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) July 18, 2018

Squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur

Also read: Eoin Morgan hails spinner to thump India at Headingley