Reports: 8 key Indian players to miss the Afghanistan Test ahead of UK tour

Recently, it was confirmed that the Indian skipper Virat Kohli will play for Surrey in the County Championship in the month of June. In the process, he will miss the historic Test match against Afghanistan which is set to be played on June 14 in Bangalore. While a section in BCCI was reportedly disappointed with Kohli not featuring in the match, now there is a possibility that 8 more Indian cricketers might miss the Test match in order to prepare themselves for the stern tour of England.

India is all set to play 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 5 Test matches during their trip to England. Their record in the country is dismal especially in the longest format where they historically struggled to come to terms with the conditions. But with 8 cricketers missing the Afghanistan Test would mean that the home side is thinking of fielding the second string side which will be like disrespecting the opposition.

Who are the 8 cricketers?

According to the reports in Times of India, after Virat Kohli, the likes of R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan will also skip the Test match against Afghanistan. Also, the players who were part of the squad in Nidahas Trophy are in contention to play the one-off Test match.

“Test specialists are set to travel to the UK for early acclimatization. Everyone has hailed it as good planning on part of the CoA. Isn’t it more important for India to prepare for the Test in England than fielding the maximum firepower against Afghanistan?” a source close to Committee of Administrators (CoA) said. While Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma are already in England plying their trade in County cricket, R Ashwin and Kohli will soon travel after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“There is clear understanding that those playing in the County Championship should stay back in England, while another batch of three to four regular Test cricketers could go with India A team under Rahul Dravid to get used to the conditions there. The focus is on ensuring that all the regular Test batsmen get good practice in England before the Test series begins,” he added. He also informed that a total of three squads will be announced next week and most likely a second string squad will feature against Afghanistan.

India A tour of England in June

It is also being reported that the members of the senior side will be part of India A squad which will travel to the UK in June. Their tour is set to commence on June 21 which is only 3 days after the game against Afghanistan. Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are likely to be part of India A squad for the tour.

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