KL Rahul Considered as Rishabh Pant’s Back-Up After Ajit Agarkar’s New Selection Call- Reports

It has come to light that the BCCI selection committee that is chaired by Ajit Agarkar has named a Rest of India 15-member squad. The Irani Cup match between Lucknow and Mumbai is set to commence on October 1 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Ekana Cricket Stadium.

The squad features Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal from India, however, their availability is contingent after the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite the fact that Jurel had an impressive start against England in the earlier part of the year, currently his chances look slim, especially, after Rishabh Pant’s stunning hundred against Bangladesh.

The Irani Cup match will provide vital playing opportunity for the players on the brink of national selection. Mumbai will take on the Agarkar-led Rest of India team that has experienced players and young guns.

Sarfaraz Khan to be released from India squad: Ajit Agarkar

Despite Jurel likely missing out on a spot in the Test squad for the Irani Cup, India will continue to have a reserve wicketkeeper. As per a report by PTI, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul is likely to be roped in as a replacement for Pant owing to his abilities in wicketkeeping, as during South Africa earlier this year when the primary wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan took a mental health break.

As a result, Sarfaraz was not included in the Indian squad for the Irani Cup, meaning he will not start the second test match against Bangladesh either. Additionally, Sarfaraz was omitted from the lineup for the first Test match against Bangladesh. Ajinkya Rahane’s side from Mumbai is said to be looking forward to the return of the prolific batter.

“Sarfaraz Khan who has been retained in the Team India squad for the 2nd Test, will be released to represent the Mumbai team subject to him not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur,” added the BCCI statement.

Rest of India Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar.