India squad for Sri Lanka Test series announced
India squad for Sri Lanka Test series announced: The BCCI announced India’s test squad for the Sri Lankan Test series that is to start from the 12th of August 2015. The team will land on the Sri Lankan island on the 1st of August. Virat Kohli remains the one to lead the side which is being called as the best team against Sri Lanka.
The recent struggle of Sri Lankan team against the Pakistani leg spinner Yasir Shah has made way for the most experienced leg spinner of India Amit Mishra to the squad, and is expected to be an essential part of the attack. Mishra is making a return in the test squad after four long years. Pragyan Ojha, though discussed in the selection meeting didn’t find a place in the team. Gautam Gambhir’s name wasn’t even discussed by the selection panel.
Fitness is the new BCCI benchmark, the priority has been given to fitness not age in the recently selected team. Wriddhiman Saha has secured his place with his domestic performances and will be the man in charge of behind the wickets for the series, he will be backed up by another keeper, whose name yet to be announced, Chief of Selectors Sandip Patil said the back up keeper will be flown in if the need arises.
Karn Sharma and Mohd Shami were declared unfit and thus are not a part of the squad. Harbhajan Singh has once again made his place in the team pleasing the selectors with his recent form in the Bangladesh series where he made a comeback, with a hope that the veteran will deliver. KL Rahul, who could not be a part of the team against Bangladesh due to ill-health, as he was suffering from dengue, has bagged a place in the batting line-up on the back of an impressive 96 for India A v Australia A in the 1st unofficial test.
The Board has termed it a well-balanced side. Virat Kohli, in the course of time has expressed his desire to play for India A and the captain has been backed up by the BCCI as he will be a part of India A team in the 2nd unofficial match against Australia A in Chennai.
As Sandip Patil announced the Indian team for the Test series against Sri Lanka he was quoted saying:
– This is the best team to tour SL
– Karn Sharma and Shami are still not fit to be considered.
– We are very happy with the way Bhajji has come back. We expect him to deliver in Sri Lanka.
– We’ve nominated a reserve wicket keeper who will be sent on short notice to SL should the need arise.
– We’ll support good players — we don’t look at age, but form and fitness.
– We’ve backed Saha based on domestic performance. He’s the right option at this stage and sets a good balance.
– Our job is to back talent. This is a well-balanced squad.
– Virat Kohli is a new captain and we should back him
Patil also said that whatever Dhoni has said about the team’s performance in Bangladesh should be taken in the right context as the former Test skipper has every right to put up his word. ‘MS Dhoni is one of the best leaders we had. He has every right to comment on the bowling performance in Bangladesh.’
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said, ‘BCCI keen to set benchmark for fitness, not just performance. Players should know the standards expected of them.’
India squad for Tests v Sri Lanka:
Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Shrama, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravi Chandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Bhuveneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.
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