Looking back in cricket history, perhaps there wouldn’t have been a tour like the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy where the majority of Indian players are nursing such injuries that only Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have made it to all four Tests in the series for India.
Apart from Rahane and Pujara, none of the Indian players managed through as day after day, players started getting injured. From Mohammed Shami to Ravindra Jadeja to Hanuma Vihari to Ravichandran Ashwin, the number of injuries Indian players sustained is huge.
With England visiting India for an all format tour next month, the Chetan Sharma led selection committee might just have the greatest headache in selecting players as more players are nursing injuries than we would’ve ever expected.
There could be a few of the old guns getting called or perhaps India might hand, a few debutants a Test cap with the number of injuries hovering around the Indian players. On that note, today we take a look at five such players who might receive a call up for the 4 Match Test Series against England starting next month.
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Let’s take a look at 5 players who might be in contention for the 4 Match Test Series against England:
1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The amount of experience the Indian bowlers had during the Brisbane Test was merely 4 Tests and 10 balls which is why there is a high possibility that Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be in contention for a Test Recall for the England Tests. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had been ruled out of any competitive cricket after sustaining a thigh muscle injury during the 2020 IPL in the UAE.
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Though he was initially ruled out for 6 months, the fast bowler made a comeback during the ongoing 2020 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he has so far picked up 4 wickets in the 3 matches for Uttar Pradesh. With India losing Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah now in doubt for the England Series, India wouldn’t mind recalling Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the Test squad.
Though the last time the latter represented India in the Test format was way back in 2018, the experience of 21 Tests and 63 wickets will definitely help India going into the series.
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2. Yuzvendra Chahal
The one half of the ‘Kulcha’ has been a revelation in the limited-overs side for Team India. In 54 ODIs, Chahal has snapped 92 wickets whereas he has picked 59 wickets in 45 T20s. Despite being a constant part of the limited-overs side over the years, Chahal has never been picked for the Test side.
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With the number of injuries hovering around Jadeja and Ashwin, the Chetan Sharma led selection committee might just give the leg spinner from Haryana a maiden call up for the longer format of the game. Though his selection has one negative and that being, Chahal last played a First-Class game in 2018 which means he lacks match practice for bowling those long spells which is why there is an extremely bleak chance of Chahal receiving a call-up.
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3. Hardik Pandya
The all-rounder from Baroda will be one of the first names to be discussed by the selection committee while picking the squad for the England series. Though Hardik Pandya didn’t feature in the Tests against Australia, his form during the limited-overs leg was highly impressive. Pandya was the top scorer of the Indian side in the ODI series as he scored 210 runs at an absolute colossal average of 105.
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In the T20 series as well, Pandya continued his form as he played a key role in finishing the match off for India in the second T20. Pandya’s selection in the Test side for the England series will be a tricky one given that we’re still unsure whether the all-rounder has started bowling to full capacity.
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4. Jalaj Saxena
Jalaj Saxena has perhaps been the unluckiest among the current lot of domestic players. He has scored 6334 runs and picked up 347 wickets with his off-breaks but despite putting up a ridiculously impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy over the years, he has been constantly overlooked for the national side. Jalaj has scored over 500 runs in 6 Ranji Seasons in the last 8 years and has picked 40 wickets thrice in the last five years.
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With Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari ruled out of the England Test series, Jalaj could be the aptest replacement who could be a combination of the two injured players. The only thing that could fall against Jalaj Saxena is him primarily being an opening batsman for his stateside whereas if selected in the Indian side, he would be asked to bat down the order as the sixth batsman in the side.
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5. Washington Sundar
Perhaps Washington Sundar wasn’t even near the India A selection let alone not even being the first choice spinner for his state Tamil Nadu but on the morning of 15th January 2021, Sundar relived the most unrealistic dream as he replaced his senior state colleague Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the Brisbane Test.
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Sundar’s first Test wicket was someone he’ll cherish for a long long time as he picked up the prized wicket of Steve Smith who was dismissed off caught on 36. Following which he ended up dismissing Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green, finishing at 3 wickets in the first innings of his First Test. He also made a useful contribution with the bat which will keep the selectors interested.
Now, Washington Sundar’s selection may draw criticism since he hasn’t played much First-Class cricket but his strong show in the Brisbane Test might just help his chances of being selected for the England series.
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