Published: Feb 11, 2024, 01:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 11, 2024, 01:16 PM (IST)
On Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the roster for the remaining three Test matches against England. Shreyas Iyer was left out, Virat Kohli was unavailable due to personal reasons, while Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been chosen to the 17-man India squad, however their participation is contingent on fitness clearance from the BCCI’s medical committee.
While Iyer’s absence and the true reason for it remained the focus of the squad announcement, the BCCI’s move also indicated that India has begun to look beyond veteran stars like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Umesh Yadav, despite the batting order’s lack of experience and the pace-bowling line-up relying solely on Jasprit Bumrah.
Umesh, who last played for India in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023, felt particularly disappointed by his non-selection, especially following a successful domestic season in which he had taken 19 wickets in seven innings.
Umesh took to Instagram following the team announcement and uploaded a tale that read: “Kitaabon par dhool jamne se, kahaaniyan khatm nahi hoti (Stories don’t end with dust accumulating on books).”
The BCCI’s selection committee has chosen Akash Deep as the additional seamer in the lineup. The Bengal fast, who took 103 wickets in 28 first-class games at 23.18, received his first call-up.
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Umesh’s non-selection came despite troubling figures from India’s second seamer. The Indian fast-bowling outfit has taken 16 wickets in two Tests, with Bumrah accounting for 14 of those dismissals at just 10.66. Mohammed Siraj was wicketless in the first Test, bowling just 11 overs. Mukhesh Kumar, who replaced him in the India XI for the Vizag encounter, averaged 70 in 12 overs, taking one wicket.
Umesh has an excellent bowling record at home. Since 2018, no Indian fast has taken as many wickets as he has: 43 wickets in 11 matches at 18.25, including two five-wicket hauls and one ten-fer. Mohammed Shami has 38 wickets in as many Tests, while Bumrah has 29 in six matches.
