BCCI announces India's squad for WTC final and England test series in UK

Hardik was not considered for selection as 'he is still not in a position to bowl', while a Jadeja made his way back to a 20-member squad. Check IND vs ENG Test schedule and ICC WTC final timings here

The Indian cricket team selection committee picked a 20-member squad for ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final and five-match India vs England Test series in the UK on Friday.

Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari made a comeback to the Indian test squad after having to skip the India vs England test series on home soil due injury. However, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Prithvi Shaw, who has been a great form in domestic circuit, have failed to make it to the Indian squad.  

Check Latest news on ICC WTC here

Why Hardik Pandya does not get selected for ICC WTC final?

Hardik, who was with team during the home series against England but did not play, has not been picked because he is not fit enough to do the job with the ball. He can play as a specialist batsman in the shorter formats but has to bowl for a place in the Test team.

"Hardik Pandya is still not in a position to bowl. The experiment of selectors to keep him during England and prepare him with bowling workload has failed miserably. He will henceforth not be considered for Test cricket," a BCCI source told news agency PTI.

Bumrah, Shami return to Indian Test squad

Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah who missed the last Test against England in early March due to marriage has returned. While Mohammed Shami also a part of 20-memeber squad after missing the home Tests against England. 

Concern over Rahul, Saha fitness

Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Wriddhiman Saha inclusion in the Test squad depend on their fitness.

KL Rahul  underwent a surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis, while Wriddhiman Saha, infected with Covid-19 during the recently-suspended Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).

Standby players for IND vs ENG Test series and ICC WTC final

The selectors also picked four standby players -- Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Arzan Nagwaswalla, the BCCI stated in a press release.

Opener Easwaran and pacer Avesh Khan were also with the team during the England series while the extra pace did it for IPL regular Prasidh Krishna and Gujarat left-arm fast bowler Arzan Nagwaswalla, who had a stellar 2019-20 season. He is the only Parsi cricketer currently playing at the first-class level in India.

The 23-year-old left-arm pacer has 62 first-class wickets to his credit in 16 matches that he has played since his debut in 2018.

CHECK IND vs ENG Latest news updates here
 
Indian cricket teams first stop will be in Southampton where Virat Kohli-led side takes on New Zealand in ICC WTC final.

Following their 3-1 win against England at home, India finished as the No. 1 side with 72.2 percentage points and booked their place in the final.

The ICC WTC final will be followed by five Tests against England in August-September. The first Test against England begins on August 4 and the final Test is scheduled to end on September 14. 

ICC WTC final date and time

ICC World Test Championship final
Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
June 18-22	India vs New Zealand	Southampton	3:30 PM

 
India vs England Test series 2021 in UK

India vs England Test series
Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
August 4-8	1st Test	Nottingham	3:30 PM
August 12-16	2nd Test	Lord's cricket ground	3:30 PM
August 25-29	3rd Test	Leeds	3:30 PM
September 2-6	4th Test	Oval	3:30 PM
September 10-14	5th Test	Manchester	3:30 PM

India's squad for WTC final and England series

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance).
 
Standby players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla