The BCCI has officially announced a robust 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, blending experience with emerging talent to create a balanced lineup. The five-Test series will commence on November 22 in Perth, with Rohit Sharma set to lead the team, supported by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, who will spearhead the pace attack. The squad is noteworthy not only for its inclusion of established players but also for welcoming fresh faces like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, who have impressed selectors through their remarkable performances in the domestic season.
Abhimanyu Easwaran's selection follows a prolific domestic season, where he showcased his batting prowess with four centuries in seven innings. Having previously been part of India’s squad for the 2022 series in Bangladesh, Easwaran can now contribute on a bigger stage. Young pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy joins after a successful T20I debut, bringing versatility to the squad with his dual skills, while Harshit Rana, another promising pacer, has shown considerable potential and consistency on the domestic circuit. Both Reddy and Rana will be eager to make an impact in Australia and learn from experienced players like Bumrah and Siraj.
The bowling department includes stalwarts such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who bring valuable experience in spin, alongside Washington Sundar, who adds depth as an all-rounder. The absence of Mohammad Shami, recovering from surgery, and Kuldeep Yadav, sidelined with a groin issue, has paved the way for Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep to contribute to the pace and variety. Axar Patel’s exclusion adds further responsibility to India’s spin trio, as they prepare to challenge Australia’s formidable batting lineup on their home turf.
The batting lineup remains solid, with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and rising talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill bringing strength and stability. Wicketkeeping duties will be handled by Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, while Sarfaraz Khan, after a stellar domestic run, is set to fortify the middle order. The reserves—Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed Kumar—provide reliable backup options in case of any last-minute changes.
India’s journey to Australia holds high stakes, as they aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has been in their possession since 2017. With a carefully chosen mix of seasoned campaigners and young aspirants, the team has all the ingredients to maintain their dominance against the Australians. This much-anticipated series will not only test the mettle of emerging players but also solidify India’s standing as a powerhouse in Test cricket.
