As the Indian cricket landscape prepares to witness another thrilling Test series, Team India find themselves at the cusp of a five-match series against England led by their dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes. The pitch at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad lies in wait for the first clash starting on January 25. However, the build-up to this highly anticipated series has been marked by a significant setback for the Indian side: talismanic batsman Virat Kohli will not be staking his claim in the crease for the initial two matches, citing ‘personal reasons’ for his absence.
In the wake of Kohli’s withdrawal, the selectors have turned their gaze to Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar to fill the void. Patidar has earned his maiden Test call-up, riding high on the back of his impressive performances for India A against England Lions where he scored 151 in a practice match, followed by a stellar 111 in an unofficial Test. His induction into the side marks a strategic shift in thinking, as he has been chosen over seasoned campaigners like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, in a pre-match press conference, candidly discussed the logic behind choosing Patidar as Kohli’s stand-in. Sharma underscored the team’s long-term vision of integrating young blood into the squad, stating, “We thought of going back to an experienced player to fill Kohli’s absence but then when will we give the youngsters the chance as we don’t want them to be exposed directly in foreign countries.” It’s an acknowledgment of the challenges fresh players face on international tours and a signal that the management is eager to nurture new talent on home soil where conditions are familiar and supportive.
Pujara and Rahane, both of whom have been absent from the national team setup for different stretches of time, represent a past era of Indian batting. Pujara’s last appearance in Indian colours was during the World Test Championship final, while Rahane hasn’t donned the blue cap since playing against the West Indies, where he also served as the vice-captain.
Looking ahead, after the Hyderabad opener, the second Test is scheduled to kick off on February 2 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The series then progresses to Rajkot for the third fixture starting February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The penultimate match moves inland to the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, commencing on February 23, before the teams make their final stand at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 7.
Rohit Sharma (C) will lead a squad that showcases a blend of youth and experience. The batting line-up features Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), and Dhruv Jurel (WK) holding fort behind the stumps. The spin department is bolstered by the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel with Kuldeep Yadav providing variety with his wrist spin. The pace attack will be spearheaded by the pace duo of Mohd. Siraj and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan.
As the Indian squad gears up to face England without one of their modern legends, the inclusion of Rajat Patidar not only offers a glimpse into India’s strategic approach to blooding newcomers but also affirms the belief that form and promise hold the keys to unlocking the doors to the coveted Indian dressing room. With Patidar’s selection a talking point, and Rohit’s leadership to steer the ship, the series promises to be an exciting one, setting the stage for the emergence of new cricketing narratives.
