![\"Gautam](\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Gautam-Gambhir-Pink-Ball.jpg\")
The Indian squad for the first two Tests of home series against England has observed some interesting changes. From the last series against New Zealand there are three batsmen missing — all ruled out due to injury. The name includes openers KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Nothing much can be done about injuries; however, their absence might force skipper Virat Kohli to make different strategy this time around given the different team composition.<\/p>\n
The injuries compelled selectors to make changes, Karun Nair, for instance, features in the 15-member squad. Ishant Sharma is back in the team and is expected to feature in the playing 11 straight away. Eyes would also be on Gautam Gambhir who made a second innings half-century in his comeback Test in Indore. Amit Mishra might only get a chance if his skipper wants to play three spinners, even after his ‘Man Of The Series’ performance in the recently concluded One-Day Series against New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Although the squad looks a little inexperienced, the middle order comprising of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane can make bowlers pray for mercy. The most surprising decision was to give Baroda’s Hardik Pandya a place in the Test squad. Would he be the first choice of skipper to be included in the 11? Possible but unlikely. This comes more as a surprise because he has played only 16 first class matches. Perhaps, it would have been a wise choice to let him play the ongoing Ranji season and then call him when he is sure of getting a game. Jayant Yadav has also been included in the side.<\/p>\n
India would look to perform in a way that best justifies their number one ranking. The series kicks off on November 9, 2016 with first test being played at Rajkot.<\/p>\n
Squad: Virat Kohli (capt.), R Ashwin, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Mohammad Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Karun Nair, M Vijay, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Indian squad for the first two Tests of home series against England has observed some interesting changes. From the last series against New Zealand there are three batsmen missing — all ruled out due to injury. The name includes openers KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Nothing much can be done about injuries; however, their absence might force skipper Virat Kohli to make different strategy this time around given the different team composition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[4744,693,466,521,11631,724,1287,542],"class_list":["post-29766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cricket-cricket","tag-cricket-news","tag-gautam-gambhir","tag-indian-sports-news","tag-ishant-sharma","tag-kl-rahul","tag-rohit-sharma","tag-shikhar-dhawan","tag-virat-kohli"],"yoast_head":"\n