Virat Kohli out, Shreyas Iyer dropped as BCCI announce squad for final 3 Tests vs England
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced that Virat Kohli, the seasoned batsman, will not be participating in the final three Tests of the ongoing home series against England due to personal reasons.
In the latest squad updates, the return of both KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper-batsman, and Ravindra Jadeja, the versatile all-rounder, has been confirmed by the BCCI. However, their inclusion is contingent upon their fitness. Notably, Shreyas Iyer’s absence from the squad has sparked speculation. While no official explanation has been provided, contrasting reports suggest various reasons for his exclusion, including concerns over a potential back injury or a lack of notable performances in the series leading to drop him from the team.
BCCI stated “Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohliโs decision.”
“The participation of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.”
Avesh Khan has been dropped from the squad, making room for Bengal pacer Aakash Deep. Shreyas Iyer, who underwent back surgery last year, was reportedly facing back stiffness, as indicated by The Indian Express. However, conflicting reports suggest that his exclusion may be due to a lack of substantial scores in the series rather than solely medical concerns.
In preparation for potential absences, the BCCI had previously enlisted Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan as cover options for Kohli and Rahul, respectively. Patidar made his debut in the Vizag Test and is likely to maintain his position in the upcoming matches. Sarfaraz Khan may step in for Shreyas Iyer if KL Rahul remains unfit to play.
India team for the last 3 Tests vs England: Rohit (C), Bumrah (VC), Jaiswal, Gill, Rahul, Patidar, Sarfaraz, Dhruv Jurel, Bharat, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Sundar, Kuldeep, Siraj, Mukesh, Akash Deep.