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India’s Test Squad

India’s Test Squad Dilemma Before Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India’s Test Squad Dilemma Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Against Australia


The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. Team India remains busy with a three-Test game against New Zealand at home, though the ongoing series is still of importance. Fans and pundits’ attention gets activated toward the five-Test encounters in Australia. And even as the Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, keeps hearing out preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, one cannot rule out an addition to the squad in the form of a seam-bowling all-rounder.

The selectors would want to make their team more resilient ahead of the tour of Australia, where fast-bowling conditions can cause quite a lot of discomfort for visitors. Hardik Pandya hasn’t played Test cricket since 2018 and has been quite missed during tours to SENA countries, those that feature South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia, where fast-bowling all-rounders play a big role. Between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur, they must choose to overcome this miss from Pandya.

Reddy is also one of the favorites for the job, having returned recently from the T20I series against Bangladesh after an impressive show for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. He has also been selected for the India A contingent which will tour Australia from October 31 and will thus come under observation during that tour. Also, Shardul Thakur, who played the last Test match when the series opened against South Africa back in December, has been on the selectors’ list, too. It was Shardul Thakur, of course, who batted India to victory over Australia at the Gabba during that epic tour in 2020/21.

The selectors will most probably seal their decision over Reddy’s inclusion after India’s second Test against New Zealand, scheduled to conclude next week in Pune. All talk now is about Reddy and his ability to deliver with bat and ball and about Thakur and his experience and ability. While his inclusion in the India A squad could suggest that the selectors would like to see how he goes about assessing his abilities against Australian conditions, Reddy’s omission from the India A tour has been something of a talking point. It has opened up direct competition between the two all-rounders for a place in India’s Test team for the Border-Gavaskar series.

India will go in a big team for the tour and the ones who are left behind would be net bowlers. Enough time will be there for acclimatization and preparation as they leave for Perth on November 10. In a series like this, which becomes one of the important ties in the World Test Championship cycle, having a balanced side with effective all-around options might make all the difference for India.

All speculations regarding Hardik Pandya returning to be a Test player were once again proven wrong when he was spotted practicing with the red ball in England and stating that he was doing this because there were no white balls available. The rumors of a Test comeback were thus overruled. Pandya’s reluctance to play the longer format since 2018 has left an enormous hole, and his side’s inability to cope without a proper seam-bowling all-rounder has also been seen in earlier tours of pace-friendly nations.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will not only be a good test for India’s preparedness for the World Test Championship but will also witness the resurgence of the iconic India-Australia rivalry. What has been etched into the memories of cricket fans is the amazing performances and close encounters in the previous editions of this contest, making it one of the most anticipated Test series globally. This series was considered the “godfather of cricket” rivalries, and the legacy continues to grow with each new edition.

Fans looking to watch cricket for free and taste of Border-Gavaskar action could always track platforms like Winexch to know the latest developments. When India hopes to retain the title in the highly contested Border-Gavaskar series, an all-round seam bowler would help the team increase their chances on Australian soil.

 

FAQ

  • How does the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begin?

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will get underway on November 22 with the first Test in Perth.

 

  • Who is in the running for the seam-bowling all-rounder slot?

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur will likely get a place in the side as seam-bowling all-rounders.

 

  • Why is Hardik Pandya not playing the Test series?

Hardik Pandya last played Test cricket in 2018 due to an injury and is not in the current team.

 

  • When are the final test squads to be announced for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The final squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be announced after the second test against New Zealand in Pune.

 

  • Which channel will telecast the Border-Gavaskar Trophy free?

Fans can now watch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for free through live action from platforms like Winexch.

 

Indian management will be working in consonance with the home team to make some strategic decisions for the challenging tour ahead, ensuring that the best possible lineup is in place.

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