The Senior Indian men’s selection committee seems to have made up their mind that they will not be looking at several senior India players and moving towards younger talent. The idea was reinforced when India’s squad for the Bangladesh Test series was announced on Sunday (September 8).
The Indian contingent comprised of several youngsters with Yash Dayal earning a maiden India call-up. However, that also means that it could be the end of the road for quite a few oustanding servants of Indian cricket. Here is a look at 3 Indian Test match greats who may never be able to make a comeback into the Indian team.
1. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma has played a pivotal role in many India wins. He is a veteran of 105 Test matches. However, it seems like with a new line of pacers ready with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep all waiting for their chance and Yash Dayal getting a maiden call-up, seems like the selectors have moved from the lanky pacer.
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2. Ajinkya Rahane
Not long ago, Rahane was the vice-captain of the Indian Test team. However, he has now lost his place in the Indian test side with several other middle-order batters putting their hands up through consistent performances in domestic cricket. With the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer in the line ahead of him and age catching up on the 85-Test match star, it seems unlikely that Rahane will get another Test from here unless he absolutely smashes it domestic cricket and forces the selectors to take notice.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
For long, Cheteshwar Pujara carried forward the same role that Rahul Dravid used to for India at number 3. However, with a drop in form and Shubman Gilll willing to bat at number 3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit Sharma, there is no place for Pujara in the Indian scheme of things for now. The 103 Test match player legend will find it extremely tough to regain his place in the Indian Test side.
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India’s squad for the 1st Test of the Bangladesh Test series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.