Pacer Mukesh Kumar was released from the Indian squad before the third Test against England at Rajkot to play in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Bengal will take on Bihar in their final match of the tournament starting on Friday, February 16 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the release of Mukesh Kumar on the morning of the Rajkot test match. Mukesh played in the second test of the series in Visakhapatnam. He picked just one wicket in the match conceding 70 runs in 12 overs. Mohammed Siraj, who was rested for the second game, replaced Mukesh Kumar in the playing XI for the Rajkot match.
“UPDATE: Mr Mukesh Kumar has been released from the India squad for the third Test against England in Rajkot. He will join his Ranji Trophy team, Bengal, for the team’s next fixture before linking up with Team India in Ranchi,” wrote the BCCI.
UPDATE: Mr Mukesh Kumar has been released from the India squad for the third Test against England in Rajkot.
He will join his Ranji Trophy team, Bengal, for the team's next fixture before linking up with Team India in Ranchi.#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel make Team India debut
Sarfaraz Khan’s long wait came to an end as he got the Test debut India cap ahead of the third Test against England in Rajkot. His father Naushad, who has been his coach, was present during the ceremony. Wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel was also handed the debut cap before the start of the match. Meanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan and Mohammed Siraj replaced the likes of KS Bharat, Shreyas Iyer and Mukesh Kumar in the playing XI.
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson
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