BCCI declared the 15-member team for the forthcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma has made into the team after much consideration circling the batsman’s fate in the lead up to the selectors’ meet.
Besides Binny, pacer Shardul Thakur was also overlooked from the squad which was truncated to 15 from the 17 that beat West Indies 2-0 last month.
The series against New Zealand to be commenced from September 22 in Kanpur.
“We have stuck to the combination which has done very well. We were of the opinion that this was the best possible combination for New Zealand,” chief selector Sandeep Patil told reporters after chairing the final meeting of the current selection committee.
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Rohit’s form was expected to be a major talking point today given that in the series against West Indies, he mustered only 9 and 41 from two innings in the third Test at Gros Islet, the only time he got a chance to play in the series.
“Everyone, from selectors, coaches, and the captain, felt that Rohit is a fabulous player and he needed a longer run,” Patil said justifying the selection.
Instead, the committee persisted with Shikhar Dhawan, whose place in the side has been questioned along with Rohit. “We want him (Dhawan) to come good, not only him, we want all 15 to perform. We have faith in all 15,” Patil’s said
The squad to be led by Virat Kohli has six specialist batsmen with Wriddhiman Saha as the wicketkeeper.
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The opening slot would be taken by Dhawan and Murali Vijay, while the middle order highlights Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, and Cheteshwar Pujara along with Rohit.
Ravindra Jadeja is the lone all-rounder in the squad. In the bowling department, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma will spearhead the pace attack, while Amit Mishra and R Ashwin held on to the two slots for spinners.
India Test squad:
Virat Kohli (Capt), K L Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, M Vijay, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav.