Harshit Rana on Australian tour (Source: @CricketFeedIN/X.com)
India are all set to play a five-match Test series against England starting on June 20. The England tour is considered as one of the toughest for the Asian teams, and after the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, things are looking tough for a young Indian team.
In the last Test series against Australia, India were beaten by 3-1 margin and as a result, the team failed to make it to the WTC final. It is a start of a new era now, and there are likely to be many changes from the team that last played a Test series. Apart from retirements, some of the players might miss the England tour due to injury, team combination or their form, and in this article, we will see three young players who might face the axe.
1. Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana has been impressive in white-ball cricket since his debut. However, his performances in the two Tests he played in Australia were not upto the mark. He picked four wickets in his debut Test, but went wicketless in the second and looked undercooked for the five-day game.
Harshit Rana In Test Cricket
Criterion
Data
Matches
2
Wickets
4
Average
50.75
Strike-Rate
67.5
Also, his selection on the Australian tour was because of his hit-the-deck kind of bowling, that was expected to be effective Down Under. In England though, the selectors might prefer the bowlers who swing the ball and focus on full-lengths more, bringing in options like Arshdeep Singh and Anshul Kamboj in picture. Thus, Harshit Rana might lose his place in the Test squad.
Devdutt Padikkal started his Test career with a fifty against England at home. However, he struggled in the only Test he played in Australia, and now has injured himself while playing in IPL. He has a right hamstring injury, and as an result, he has not been selected in the A-side tour of England.
Devdutt Padikkal In Test Cricket
Criterion
Data
Matches
2
Runs
90
Average
30
Strike-Rate
45.68
Thus, other players would get an opportunity to adjust to the conditions and impress the selectors. So, even if Padikkal gets fit around the start of the first Test, he is not likely to be considered for selection.
3. Tanush Kotian
Tanush Kotian has been very impressive at the domestic level and is considered as one of the replacements of Ravi Ashwin. He is also an off-spinner and a good lower order batter just like Ashwin and got selected after the great off-spinner's retirement in Australia.
Tanush Kotian In First-Class Cricket
Criterion
Data
Matches
37
Runs
112
Bow. Average
25.89
Strike-Rate
46.9
However, Washington Sundar is a more established cricketer who has done well recently, and thus he is currently a front-runner to take Ashwin's spot. Also, Ravindra Jadeja is still around, and keeping in mind the English conditions, selectors might not opt for three spin-bowling all-rounders. Also, Kuldeep Yadav is fit and is also likely to make a comeback. Thus, Kotian might miss the spot in the senior Indian side.
Harshit Rana on Australian tour (Source: @CricketFeedIN/X.com)
 "Aashay Chopade")
