On Friday, October 25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian National Cricket Team squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
India are the reigning champions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having beaten the Australians at home in the previous series. Furthermore, the Indian team won the Test series in Australia in the last two tours in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
India team named for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 3 uncapped players included
The Indian national cricket team’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy consists of three non-international players Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Talking about major omissions, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are not part of the Test squad. Shami is currently recovering from his injury, while Kuldeep Yadav suffered a groin problem that ruled him out of the tour. Also, star all-rounder Axar Patel has been dropped from the team.
“Kuldeep Yadav was not available for selection for the tour of Australia as he was referred to the BCCI Center of Excellence after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand for long-term resolution of his chronic groin problem. left,” the BCCI said. in an official press release.
Team India for Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed
Top Team Talking Points
The absence of senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup, is a big blow to the team as he has been one of the biggest match-winners for India in overseas Tests.
Recently, there were reports that Shami would be available for the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after recovering from a fresh knee setback, but his selection now looks highly doubtful with the inclusions of Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna in the setup. Also, pacers Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmed are kept in reserves.
Pacer bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is also not in the fray despite his past heroics. His place has been taken by all-rounder Nitish Reddy. Also, star national cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran has been selected as a substitute opener, leaving no room for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the team.
Talking about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy schedule, the first Test will begin on November 22 in Perth. The next four matches will begin on December 6, 14, 26 and January 3 in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
The Indian national cricket team is currently involved in a three-match test series against the New Zealand national cricket team and the batsmen have been in very poor form.
The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not been dismissed at all and would need to return to form quickly if India are to complete a hat-trick of Test wins in Australia.