XtraTime Web Desk: The All-India Senior Selection Committee met in Leeds to pick the Indian Cricket Team for the first three Tests of the upcoming 5-match Test series against England.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar aggravated a lower back condition in the 3rd ODI against England. His condition is being assessed by the BCCI medical team and a call on his inclusion in the Test squad will be made soon.
Rishabh Pant is the only fresh face in an 18-man Indian squad named for the first three Tests of the five-match series in England starting on August 1. 20-year old Pant, who is currently in England with the India ‘A’ squad, will serve as back-up keeper to Dinesh Karthik. India’s first choice glove-man Wriddhiman Saha, for the past few months was suffering from an injury on his right hand thumb. But it’s not the real reason why he was not selected. Despite of recovering successfully from his thumb injury he picked up a shoulder injury later on and that is why he was ruled out from the selection. Currently he his undergoing rehab under NCA. By looking at his condition he will have to go through a surgery in the near future. He had this shoulder injury when India played South Africa in the Test series earlier this year. The injury got worsen while playing the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderbad while attempting a dive. Just before the IPL Final he injured his thumb and people started to believe that he was not selected for this particular injury. His wife Debarati Saha has stated,” People wrote whatever they can of his injury. They didn’t even bother to talk to us.”
“He recovered from his thumb injury, long time back. He didn’t get a place because of his shoulder injury.”
“Not a single person paid heed to know the actual reason.”
“Because of this injury, he wasted one year. His condition is not that good and he will undergo a quick surgery in the coming days”.
“BCCI will soon look into the matter and will contact us very soon.”
Jasprit Bumrah who has been included in the squad, will be available for selection from the 2nd Test onwards based on his fitness.
India’s squad for first three Tests against England: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur.
India’s tour of England, 2018
| S.No | Date | Match | Venue |
| 1 | 1st August | 1st Test | Edgbaston |
| 2 | 9th August | 2nd Test | Lord’s |
| 3 | 18th August | 3rd Test | Trent Bridge |