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Rohit In, Iyer Doubtful; Nair To Return As BCCI Shortlists India Players For England Tour: Report

Debashis Sarangi

Rohit Sharma likely to be picked for ENG Tour [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Rohit Sharma likely to be picked for ENG Tour [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

According to emerging reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted 35 Indian players for the upcoming tour of England. Veteran batter and current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is said to have made into the list. 

BCCI's Selection Plans For England Tour Revealed

As reported by the Times Of India (TOI), the BCCI has prepared a list of 35 players, who will be split in two groups, representing India and India A on the tour. The selection committee is expected to announce the squads by the second week of May.  

As the report stated, the BCCI plans to persist with Rohit as the Indian captain despite his dismal returns in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Meanwhile, the board has apparently little confidence in Sarfaraz Khan's reliability as a middle order batter. 

Thus, as the report claims, the BCCI selection committee has decided to reward the in-form Karun Nair and Rajat Patidar with much-deserved recalls into the Test setup. Promising batter Sai Sudharsan could also earn a Test call-up as the third opener. 

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer's place in the Test side is uncertain, as the batter has yet to showcase consistency in red-ball cricket. 

"Rohit is most likely to travel as the board feels that one needs a strong captain through the series, which is likely to be as tough as the Australia tour. With regard to the middle-order, the team management has shown very little confidence in Sarfaraz Khan's ability," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI. 

"Nair and Patidar are seasoned red-ball players and are in fine form. It is likely at least one of them will be in the India 'A' team. As for Iyer, he was dropped last year based on his poor returns in Test cricket. A final call is yet to be be taken," he added. 

Kuldeep To Return; BCCI Likely To Pick Multiple Travelling Reserves

As Ravichandran Ashwin is retired now, the Indian think tank might select Kuldeep Yadav as a lead spinner for the England tour. Axar Patel, reportedly, could be ignored, with the team picking a number of reserve pacers, keeping Shami and Jasprit Bumrah's fragile fitness in mind.