Will Jasprit Bumrah be ready to play the second Test at Edgbaston? That is the biggest question confronting the Indian team management as the visitors look to draw parity against England after losing the series opener from a commanding position at Leeds.
Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar reportedly opposed Pandya's World Cup selection due to his form and injuries. However, they allegedly conceded 'under pressure', hinting at the BCCI leadership's strong backing of Pandya as the future T20 leader.
In a country where it becomes awkward to handle the retirements of legends like Kohli and Rohit, the selectors has shown the required foresight.
Agarkar had previously applied for the position in 2020 but was not selected at that time.
What's interesting is now fans are questioning the reasons and persons behind their retirements.
On Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that they have yet to take a call on which Tests India will field Bumrah in the playing XI.
While the cricket fraternity is taken aback by talismanic Virat Kohli's wish to retire from Test cricket, it has been learnt that selection committee did ponder over the idea of handing over leadership to him in England to allow Gill some more time to groom.
Star batter Shubman Gill was on Saturday named captain of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming five-match away series against England, signaling the start of a new era in Indian red-ball cricket.
The BCCI on Tuesday named Ajit Agarkar as chairman of the Senior Men's Selection Committee.
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is up and running in Beckenham, putting in the hard yards before the upcoming five high-stakes Tests against England, slated to kick off on June 20 at Headingley.
With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, all eyes are now on who will lead India into a new red-ball era.
While Kapil scripted the best bowling figures of 5/43 against Australia at Trent Bridge in in 1983, Shami's fifer in Mohali on Friday, was the third-best bowling effort against the Aussies.
'I think it have seen the side-ons (bowlers) but he delivers the ball from about a foot or even a bit more closer to the batsman than the average bowler so the ball feels quicker even than the pace he is actually bowling at.'
Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson got the nod as the two wicketkeepers in India's 15-member squad.
The Indian cricket team's chief selector Ajit Agarkar lauded the 28-year-old chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav and said that he will be one of the trump cards for the Men in Blue in the ODI WC.
Ajit Agarkar was linked to the chief selector's post in the past as well, but this time, he is likely to get the high pressure job.
Shubman Gill has set himself the goal of creating a team culture where every player is 'secure and happy.'
As India prepares for its upcoming five Test series against England, the selection committee faces a crucial decision regarding the team's leadership. Who should be the next India captain in red ball cricket?
All eyes will be on Captain Shubman Gill and Coach Gautam Gambhir to lead the Indian Test team into a bold new era.
The 25-year-old Shubman Gill is a clear favourite to land the high-profile job as Indian embarks on a new World Test Championship cycle.
BCCI, NCA left red-faced as Mayank''s back injury resurfaces thrice in one year
If history is anything to go by, Leeds always has room for a little magic.
He was seeking a new purpose -- something to reignite his passion and spark a personal resurgence. But under the current team management, Kohli felt that he wasn't getting the environment, autonomy, or energy he needed.
Difficult to replace Bumrah but we have enough quality in squad for England tour: Gambhir
Varun Chakravarthy, who has quickly become one of India's most consistent bowlers in T20Is, further cemented his reputation with a brilliant 3-23 in the first T20I in Kolkata.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will have some sleepless nights before selecting the squad for T20s against Afghanistan with veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli keen to play the World Cup in June.
Jasprit Bumrah termed the desire to represent India in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 as a motivating factor for him.
Ajit Agarkar, who is the frontrunner for the Indian chief selector's job, relinquished his assistant coach's post in Delhi Capitals.
There are at least six contenders for a couple of reserve middle-order slots for the five-Test series in England, starting in June.
Beginning of Gambhir era: Coach becomes most powerful figure in Indian dressing room
Karun Nair, the standout performer of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has failed to make it into India's Champions Trophy squad despite an extraordinary domestic season.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar says he does not foresee Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing the 2027 ODI World Cup as is being widely anticipated after the duo announced its Test retirement.
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his reservations about certain clauses in the BCCI's new disciplinary guidelines, particularly the restriction on families accompanying players on long tours. The guidelines, reportedly prepared at the behest of head coach Gautam Gambhir, have sparked debate within the team, with Sharma indicating he will discuss the matter with the BCCI secretary.
'Five spinners, Siraj ignored for Rana, and Jaiswal dropped. Brain-faded captain and coach combo!'
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar is all set to travel to West Indies to meet head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma to discuss the road map for the ODI World Cup.
Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi is the frontrunner to become the spin bowling coach at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
India face an anxious wait as Jasprit Bumrah's fitness status will only be confirmed in the first week of February.
'The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match.'
14-year-old Mumbai opener Ira Jadhav became the first Indian to score a triple hundred in Under-19 cricket, when she made a 346 against Meghalaya in the Under-19 Women's One-Day Trophy
This would mark the first time an Indian head coach travels with the 'A' team on a tour.
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