• Source:JND
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IND vs ENG: A new era has started in the Indian Test team after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid adieu to the longest format. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket a few days ago. Rohit, who became a dependable opener and led the team from the front in the longest format, and Kohli, who inculcated an aggressive approach in the Test team, retired together and left a huge gap as far as scoring runs are concerned, experience and leadership. They retired just before the five-match Test series against England and forced the selectors to bring in a transition.

As far as the notable inclusions are concerned the fresh faces are ready to impress everyone- pacer Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sdharsan got their maiden Test callup, whereas Karun Nair, who had been dropped from India's Test team since 2017, is given a second chance on helping him redeem himself.

Let's take a look at the notable inclusion in India's Test squad for the England tour:

1. Arshdeep Singh

His maiden call-up shows the trust he has shown apart from white-ball cricket. Arshdeep, who is known for his sharp left-arm swing and his ability to perform under pressure situations, has played in the shortest format for India regularly after the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he was the country's highest wicket-getter. From last year, he has also been playing in ODIs regularly and had played a huge in helping India win the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

During the ongoing season of the IPL, he has been spearheading Punjab Kings' bowling attack as he has taken 16 wickets after playing in 12 matches, at a staggering average of 21.93 and that is one of the reasons why they have qualified for the playoffs for the first time after 11 years. It isn't just his T20I performance, which grabbed the selectors' attention but he has also built a strong red-ball case for himself while playing for India A and did impress the selectors during earlier series by bowling in a disciplined manner. His angle and ability to provide much-needed variations can help the Men in Blue in England a lot.

2. Sai Sudharsan

Considered one of the country's upcoming talents, Sai Sudharsan has performed consistently. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, the youngster has proven his worth in all formats. Even though he did play a few red-ball matches this year owing to national white-ball duties, he did take advantage of the chances by scoring 303 runs after playing in just three matches, which also includes a brilliant double ton.

He has been in sublime form in the ongoing season of the IPL. He is currently the Orange Cap holder while playing for Gujarat Titans and has shown his ability to perform brilliantly under pressure. The selectors did plan bigger things for him as he had already been selected for the India A team and would be joining the team ahead of the second multi-day game after completing the IPL.

3. Karun Nair

He is one of the few players, who is quite aware of the highs and lows of this format. Way back in 2016, he had become the second India batter besides Virender Sehwag to have scored 300 runs in the longest format- as he had scored a brilliant match-winning knock of 303 runs against England. But by 2017, he was completely dropped from the team. After eight years, Karun was still hopeful and played domestic cricket consistently and scored runs.

He is now been recalled again to the Test squad on the back of his brilliant performance in the domestic tournament- as he had scored 863 runs during the Ranji Trophy at a brilliant average of 53.93, which also four hundred, and had scored 779 runs in the Vijay Hazare tournament, where he had smashed five centuries. He also has the experience of playing in England as he has played county cricket for Northamptonshire and he would be considered as a veteran amongst a young team.