NEW DELHI: There was a time when Auqib Nabi didn't own a pair of bowling spikes.

For his first U-19 trial in Jammu & Kashmir, the fast bowler from Baramulla borrowed a pair from a friend. When he eventually earned selection, fate threw up another twist. The friend who had lent him the spikes didn't make the squad. Auqib borrowed another pair from him and played his entire first U-19 tournament in borrowed shoes.

Today, Auqib is making a name for himself with a skill that many fast bowlers spend years trying to master: the ability to swing the ball both ways. He has now earned his maiden India call-up, with the 29-year-old seamer from Jammu & Kashmir replacing the injured Jasprit ******* rah in India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Nabi has picked up 104 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, virtually breaking the selection door down with his performances. He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two First Class matches.
Yet, the road to the Indian dressing room wasn't built in fancy academies or elite fast-bowling programmes. It was shaped by a long journey, borrowed equipment and an obsession with learning.

"My parents are government school teachers. Initially, they wanted me to focus on studies, which was natural. Cricket wasn't something we had planned. A friend told me about the Under-19 trials. Until then, I didn't even know they were happening," Auqib had told reporters after picking up a five-wicket haul on the opening day of the Delhi vs Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in November 2025.

Like countless youngsters in Kashmir, his cricketing education began with tennis-ball matches. The transition to leather-ball cricket, however, brought a different challenge.
"The most basic thing a fast bowler needs is a turf wicket," he had said. "Baramulla had turf, but you couldn't bowl there wearing spikes. So I had to travel to Srinagar to practice."

The one-and-a-half-hour journey from Baramulla to Srinagar became part of his routine. Hours on the road simply to bowl a few overs on a proper surface. For many aspiring cricketers, inadequate facilities become a convenient excuse. Auqib never allowed himself that luxury.

"If you want to play for India, these things cannot become excuses. If you want it badly enough, you have to do it."
That philosophy continues to define him.

The philosophy kept motivating him day in and day out, but it was his obsession with learning that made him the bowler he is today.

"When he first joined the J&K team for the Buchi Babu Trophy in Salem in 2023, he could only bowl the outswinger. But he wanted to bowl both ways. So I started working on his inswing," P. Krishnakumar, Jammu & Kashmir's bowling coach, told TimesofIndia.com.

"He has a great wrist position, which is one of his biggest strengths," he said.
There were no shortcuts, and Nabi knew it. He started working on

India's injury woes have opened the door for one of domestic cricket's most persistent performers, with Auqib Nabi named as Jasprit ****** rah's replacement in the Test squad for Sri Lanka.
The Jammu and Kashmir seamer earns a maiden senior call-up after years of prolific returns in red-ball cricket. ****** rah was ruled out of the two-Test series after failing to fully recover from the left-knee issue he sustained during the ODI series in England.
With the BCCI medical team advising caution, the selectors turned to a bowler whose weight of wickets had made him impossible to ignore any longer.
For the 29-year-old, the call represents the culmination of a long and often frustrating wait for recognition. Having dominated the Ranji Trophy for two seasons, Nabi now stands on the brink of a Test debut on turning tracks that could suit his disciplined seam bowling.
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#jasprit #kashmir

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team after senior pacer Jasprit ******* rah was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. TimesofIndia.com had earlier reported that the J & K pacer was the frontrunner to replace the 32-year-old in the squad, who has not yet fully recovered from the left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England.

"The Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as ******* rah's replacement. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team," A BCCI release said.

Nabi claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.

He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches.

The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test will be held in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
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Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.

*Subject to fitness clearance

#nabi #test #jammu #maiden

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for India's two-match Test series against the hosts on their tour of Sri Lanka in August.
With Jasprit ******* rah ruled out and Auqib Nabi set to earn his maiden senior national team call-up, and the Test squad captained by captain Shubman Gill, India return to action on August 15 as they take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series at Galle.
The squad includes experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj, and the pacer from Jammu and Kashmir, Nabi, has been selected on the basis of his impressive domestic performances.
Although ******* rah was initially in the squad, he is not available because he continues to recover from his left knee injury sustained in the ODI series against England. Participation of Sai Sudharsan is subject to clearance from the medical team of BCCI.
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#series

Managing Jasprit ***** rah: Every India series missed due to injury risk in the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jasprit ***** rah has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test series with a knee issue.
It continues a long pattern of India managing his workload across formats.
His fitness remains central to India's planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Jasprit ***** rah's absence from India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka has once again placed his workload management under the microscope. The BCCI medical team advised the pace spearhead against rushing back, citing the need to fully recover from the left-knee issue he has nursed since the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

#bumrah

NEW DELHI: As India enter a critical phase in their bid to stay alive in the World Test Championship (WTC) race, Jasprit **** rah and Shubman Gill are taking a cautious approach to regaining full fitness ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting Aug 15.

TOI understands that **** rah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.

It is learnt that **** rah developed swelling in his knee before the final ODI at Lord's on June 19 but the medical team is confident he will be ready for the first Test in Galle. The selectors picked him for the Sri Lanka tour subject to fitness. The focus is now on preparing him to endure the rigours of Test cricket.

Bumrah has played little longer-format cricket since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last Nov. He has featured only in T20 cricket, apart from two ODIs in England last month. **** rah is currently at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).

"Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will be gradually increased. He needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Dropping even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify for the WTC final next year. That's why the team management wants **** rah to be available in prime shape for the series," a BCCI source told TOI.

As for Gill, it is learnt that he has been consulting specialists to address the neck pain that first flared up during his first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The problem eventually ruled him out of the rest of the series, which India lost 0-2. He also missed an IPL match because of the recurring pain.

"Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It's an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series. That's why he has taken a cautious approach in addressing the chronic issue," the source said.
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Sudharsan set to resume batting next week

Sai Sudharsan, India's No. 3 batter in Tests, has also been selected subject to fitness. He is recovering from a hamstring injury and will resume batting at the CoE next week. The BCCI medical team has shared a positive report regarding his availability for the first Test.

#test #first #south #africa

Greece have called up the brother of Australia batter Sam Konstas to their national cricket team as they prepare to make a surprise bid to qualify for the 2028 men's T20 World Cup.
It is understood Billy Konstas, four years older than Sam at 24, has been included in Greece's 14-man squad for a European qualifying event in Finland from 14 to 21 August.
Sam made his Test debut for Australia at the age of 19 against India in the Boxing Day Test in 2024, memorably ramping Jasprit ***** rah three times in one over.
Billy plays grade cricket in Sydney alongside his day job where he combines cricket coaching with physiotherapy.
The elder Konstas is joined in the squad by another Greek-Aussie in 21-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder Blake Faunce, who played representative age-group cricket for Australian Capital Territory.

#european

Chennai: As India look to usher in a new generation of fast bowlers, Australian great Glenn McGrath believes Prasidh Krishna has all the ingredients to become Jasprit ****** rah's long-term pace partner.

The legendary fast bowler, who is the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, has closely followed Prasidh's rise and feels the tall Karnataka seamer has transformed his potential into performances.

"I'm a big fan of Prasidh," McGrath said. "If he gets his length right, he's got everything going for him."

"He has really matured. He's tall, bowls in good areas, generates bounce and has genuine pace. Occasionally he's a little short, but apart from that, I think he's the whole package. He's really developed and put his potential into performance," he said.

India have handed opportunities to several young quicks during the recent tours of the UK and Zimbabwe as they prepare for a demanding cycle of white-ball cricket, with the ODI and T20 World Cups to be played in South Africa and Australia-New Zealand respectively. It means India will need a strong pace attack firing on all cylinders, and McGrath believes the transition phase they are going through will not be easy.

"You've got ****** rah, who's a class bowler, and Mohammed Shami, who's world-class as well. Mohammed Siraj has been around for a long time too. You can't just expect to pick up straight where you left off. It's always going to be a transitional period," he said, referring to the Australian team, which will also go through a similar phase.

"Other than Pat ****** mins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, hardly anybody gets a chance... So it's not going to be easy for Australia either."

McGrath also pointed out that ****** rah's unconventional action demands careful workload management.

"The way he powers through those last few steps probably puts more stress on his body than most bowlers. It'll be interesting to see how he manages himself," McGrath said.

While India appear keen to fast-track younger bowlers, McGrath insisted experienced pacers still have an important role to play.

"It's always good to have experience there. Young bowlers learn by playing alongside senior guys. I was fortunate to watch Craig McDermott and Merv Hughes. That's where you really learn. I'd always pick an experienced team over a potential team," he said.

On whether veterans such as Shami or Bhuvneshwar ****** ar could still mount a comeback, McGrath said the decision rested on their bodies, motivation and the selectors.

"If they're prepared to put the work in and their body allows it, then why not? As fast bowlers get older, the work only gets tougher. Ultimately, it's up to them and the selectors."

McGrath also called for a rethink in the way fast bowlers are rehabilitated after injuries, arguing that modern systems often "wrap bowlers in cotton wool" instead of making them physically stronger.
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"The best way is to get stronger. Even when you're in

The Board of Control for Cricket in India have announced a 15-member squad for India's upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka next month.
The Test squad, led by captain Shubman Gill, will return to action on August 15 as India take on the hosts in the first match of the series at Galle.
India have named a strong squad that saw the return of star players like Jasprit **** rah and Ravindra Jadeja to the Test squad, however, the team will miss all-rounder Washington Sundar, at least for the first Test, owing to an injury.
Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan's participation in the series is not a 100 per cent yet as them playing against Sri Lanka is subject to clearance from the medical team of BCCI.
ssssssssss

#lanka #bumrah

India squad for Sri Lanka Test series 2026: Full team lists for IND vs SL red-ball series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India announced their Sri Lanka Test series 2026 squad on Tuesday.
Shubman Gill to continue as Test captain, with KL Rahul in the leadership group.
Jasprit ******* rah and Ravindra Jadeja returned for the two-match series.
Washington Sundar will miss the first Test.

#test #India #lanka

NEW DELHI: India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill expressed concern over his team’s fitness standards after the ODI series defeat in England. A string of players breaking down before or during series has repeatedly left the team hamstrung over the past year. Gill suggested that India might be missing a trick in managing players’ fitness.

His comments have brought into focus the breakdown of a system built on coordination between the Indian team management and the Centre of Excellence (CoE). Not long ago, India had all their key players fit and available for three ICC events in 2023, 2024 and 2025. TOI understands that some senior players are struggling to adapt to a new system following a change in personnel last year. The most worrying aspect has been the recurrence of hamstring injuries.

“The flurry of recent hamstring injuries suggests that the players may not have been absolutely fit before taking the field. There seems to be a gap in communication about a player’s fitness status and workload between the CoE and the team management,” a BCCI source said. The CoE has not appointed a head of medical staff since Nitin Patel left. “There has been no update to the SOPs drawn up in 2023. Data collection has become more robust, but acting on it has become slower,” the source added.
During Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach, the BCCI medical team, the CoE and the team management had charted out year-long roadmaps for individual players around major ICC events. The objective was to get each player to the required fitness level in time for the next ICC tournament or marquee Test series.

The recurring injuries suffered by Harshit Rana and Nitish **** ar Reddy have not gone down well with the BCCI. Sources said Reddy was being pushed to bowl close to 140kmph to compensate for the injury-prone Hardik Pandya.

“Reddy worked with English bowling coach Stefan Jones to increase his pace. But that needs to be a gradual process when he is with the team leading up to a big event. Instead, he is pushing himself to bowl faster whenever he is with the team,” the source said.

“It’s a bit concerning how Harshit was cleared by the CoE at the insistence of the team management when he had not attained his pre-knee-injury weight. These things need more care,” the source added.

TOI also understands that Washington Sundar too may have been rushed to join the T20 World Cup squad in Feb this year. “Washington required a good 10 days to be fit to play a match after joining the squad. He was pushed by the team management to get ready during a tournament. It may have taken its toll. Team can ask for players but the medical team needs to present a clear picture,” the source claimed.

Jasprit **** rah, for instance, is a special case for BCCI. Even with his history, he is barely pushed to hit high speeds months away from a marquee **** ignment. His loads are gradually increased to reach the desired level when the **** ignment arrives.

Akash Deep, who

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians' (MI) top brass will meet in England next week to thoroughly review the previous season and make key decisions for the road ahead. It is understood that everything, from captaincy to coaching to trade talk, will be on the table when the management, including the ownership, reviews head coach Mahela Jayawardene's post-season report.

While the dressing room unrest and trade talk involving Hardik Pandya have hogged most of the limelight, Jayawardene's return to the set-up has slipped under the radar. Under the 49-year-old, the five-time champions finished fourth in 2025 and a disappointing ninth in the 2026 edition. It remains to be seen whether he holds on to his position as the franchise aims to press the reset ******* on in the hope of returning to its glory days.

As TimesofIndia.com reported, there is a lot of interest in a Hardik Pandya trade, and clarity will emerge after the MI season review. The franchise's position will be key, and it will be interesting to see how they position themselves to get the best out of the deal. The trade talk is unlikely to be restricted to just the all-rounder, as another former India captain's name has also generated interest among franchises.

Bumrah or Tilak?
Apart from the coaching and trade talk, Mumbai Indians need to figure out their captain for the 2027 edition. They are known to be a unit that doesn't believe in stop-gap arrangements, so the direction they take next week will be very crucial. Will they choose Jasprit ******* rah or invest in the young Tilak Varma, who is also rising on the India leadership ladder?

Bumrah is a strong candidate and has hardly missed games for the team over the last three seasons. While Tilak is young, his returns with the bat have been far from consistent. Some believe he is still a work in progress as a T20 batter, and captaincy will only weigh him down.

The 32-year-old, who made his Mumbai Indians captaincy debut in the IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings in the absence of both regular captain Hardik Pandya and stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav, hinted at his captaincy ambitions.

"I didn't think that I would be a Test captain before becoming MI captain," he had said at the toss.

Bumrah has led India in Test cricket and captained the team to a win over Australia in Perth in the first of five Tests during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Not to forget, ******* rah was the franchise's highest-paid retention ahead of the mega auction in November 2024.
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So, is ******* rah the best bet for at least the 2027 season before the overhaul happens in the next cycle?

Surely, that's not the only tough call the decision-makers will make when they ******* emble.

'It made the difference!' - Mohammad Kaif reveals how Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma reshaped India's team dynamics and energy in Edgbaston win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mohammad Kaif credits senior stars' return for lifting India's energy in Edgbaston win.
Jasprit **** rah becomes India's top ODI wicket-taker in England after sensational spell.
India aim to seal series in second ODI at Cardiff on Thursday.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif, believes that it wasn't just about the runs, but having Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit **** rah back in the fold brought something harder to measure.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced two changes to India's squads for the upcoming series of England and Zimbabwe after injuries to Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy.

Fast bowler Prince Yadav has replaced Harshit Rana in India's squad for the ODI series against England. Harshit has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, has been drafted into India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.

Bishnoi was not part of the original squad but has now been included after it was confirmed that Varun will need more time to recover from the hamstring injury that also ruled him out of the final two T20Is against England.

Bishnoi featured in the first two matches of India's five-match T20I series in England. India did not bowl in the opening game after rain washed it out. In the second T20I at Old Trafford, Bishnoi conceded 60 runs in his four overs. He also bowled three back-foot no-balls and gave away two sixes and a four from the resulting free-hits.

Varun will now report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further ****** sment and rehabilitation. Harshit Rana will also join him there after suffering a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against England.

Varun had only recently returned to action during the T20I series in Ireland before playing the first two T20Is against England. The latest injury is another setback after he fractured his left toe during the latter stages of IPL 2026. He played through the injury before missing the T20I series against Afghanistan and Ireland while recovering at the CoE.

Chakravarthy also struggled for form in England, taking just one wicket while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.28.

India's updated squad for England ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit ****** rah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav

India's updated squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Ravi Bishnoi

Matt Henry has officially joined Jasprit ****** rah at the top of the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings. In the latest rankings update released on June 24, 2026, both fast bowlers are tied at the top with 870 rating points each, making them joint World No. 1 Test bowlers.
Henry's rise to the top marks a historic achievement for New Zealand cricket. He becomes the first Kiwi fast bowler to reach the No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings since legendary pacer Sir Richard Hadlee, ending a 36-year wait for a New Zealand seamer. Only two others NZ bowlers have claimed top spot in the rankings before - Jack Cowie (1947) and Richard Hadlee (1984-1990).

Bumrah, meanwhile, had enjoyed an uninterrupted reign at the top since November 2024 before Henry's latest surge brought him level.
As of June 2026, the world's two highest-ranked Test bowlers boast outstanding career records:
Bowler
Test Wickets

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prioritise player welfare and ensure centrally contracted cricketers get at least one month of uninterrupted rest every year.

His comments come after India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Afghanistan, shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Gavaskar acknowledged the role the BCCI has played in supporting developing cricket nations such as Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka through bilateral series. However, he said the health and fitness of Indian players should remain a priority despite a busy cricket calendar.

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar said: "Yes, BCCI is like the elder brother to countries like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, and have always tried to help them grow on the field and boost their finances by touring these countries. However, our cricketers’ health and fitness are also crucial and there should be a clear month’s rest for our players in the year. India is blessed with talent and so you can rotate the players but that is cheapening the India cap. The cap mustn’t be given because a player replaces the undroppable player who is rested. It has to be earned."

The former opener also questioned the growing practice of resting senior players because of workload management. According to Gavaskar, India should field its strongest available side whenever possible.

He pointed to India's recent Test against Afghanistan, where Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries.

“In the Test against Afghanistan who have been honest triers but nothing more, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries, and Manav Suthar made an impressive debut. Jasprit ***** rah was rested but wouldn’t he have liked to have added a fifer or a tenfer to his career record against this team. When India is playing, then the best team must play, unless there are injuries of course. But this resting because of workload must be avoided as much as possible. Have a look at the calendar and you will see that India is playing every month somewhere or the other."

Gavaskar clarified that he supports more opportunities for younger players through India A and Under-19 cricket, but believes senior players should get a proper break from the game.

“Yes, by all means have ‘A’ team and U-19 matches so that young players get the opportunity and the experience, but please spare our elite players and ensure they as a team and not just as individuals get at least a month’s break in the year."

He added that the current schedule cannot be changed but suggested future planning should include a mandatory break for players and even fans.

“This year’s schedule is already done and nothing can be changed but since the thinking is to have the IPL start and finish early next year is there, then please add a month’s rest to not just the players but the fans of Indian cricket."

India's next ***** ignment is a

NEW DELHI: Jasprit ***** rah is set to make his long-awaited return to India's ODI side after being named in the 15-member squad for the three-match series against England beginning on July 14.

The pace spearhead, who was rested for the recently concluded series against Afghanistan as part of workload management, will lead India's bowling attack in English conditions.

Bumrah's return comes after an extended period of selective appearances in the 50-over format.

Since India's defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, the 32-year-old has missed eight ODI ***** ignments, underlining the BCCI's cautious approach towards managing the workload of one of its most valuable players.

India played ODI series in South Africa and Sri Lanka in 2023-24 and 2024 respectively without ***** rah.

Due to injuries and BCCI's plan to manage his workload properly, he was also absent from the home series against England, the 2025 Champions Trophy, tours of Australia and home contests against South Africa and New Zealand, before sitting out the Afghanistan series earlier this month.

The decision to carefully manage ***** rah's workload has been influenced by his history of back injuries and the importance of preserving him for major tournaments and multi-format commitments.

The fast bowler has often been rested from bilateral ***** ignments to ensure he remains fit for marquee events.

With the next ODI World Cup cycle gathering pace, ***** rah's availability for the England series represents a significant boost for India.

His experience and ability to strike in all phases of the innings will be crucial in unfamiliar conditions.

The BCCI announced the squad on Sunday, with Shubman Gill set to captain the side and Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain.

Senior batter Virat Kohli also returned to the squad, although his participation remains subject to fitness clearance following a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026.

India's ODI squad for England tour: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli*, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish ***** ar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit ***** rah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.
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(* denotes the player is subject to fitness)

India squad for England ODI series 2026: Full team lists for IND vs ENG series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli named in ODI squad for England series.
Jasprit ******* rah returns to the Indian ODI squad after sitting out of the Afghanistan series.
India thrashed Afghanistan in their last ODI series.
JUMP TO:ODI squad, Test squad, Schedule

Ahead of the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai, India ******* istant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said Nitish ******* ar Reddy is emerging as the "natural successor" to Hardik Pandya as the team continues to build its all-rounder options for the future.

India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. In recent years, the team has added several all-rounders to its pool, with Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey providing spin-bowling all-round options.

Among the pace-bowling all-rounders, Nitish has made a strong case for himself and is being seen as a long-term option behind Hardik.

Speaking about the team's all-rounder depth, ten Doeschate said most of the available options are still bowling all-rounders.

"And when Hardik plays, he obviously brings a different element because he is such a strong batter, such a strong finisher. A sort of role scarcity is difficult to find a finisher who gives you overs as well," he said.

"So those guys are all tracking really nicely. Like I said with Nitish, for the last 18 months, he's shown glimpses of how important he can be to this team, particularly in this format. And I feel his body's getting stronger and stronger, and I sort of feel he is the natural successor or backup to Hardik," he added.

The ******* istant coach also said it was encouraging to see several all-rounders contributing with both bat and ball, especially with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

"Even someone like Gurnoor (Brar) and Harsh (Dubey), they are all bowling all-rounders. But the fact that we feel we've got guys who can hold the bat at number nine, obviously looking forward for the next 14, 15 months, that is going to be very important. Especially in South Africa, when you want to play three proper out-and-out seamers, those guys are going to need to bat. A lot of good signs on the all-rounder front and also on the fast-bowling front," he said.

Ten Doeschate also expressed satisfaction with the emerging pace-bowling group that is developing behind senior bowlers Jasprit ******* rah and Mohammed Siraj, both of whom are missing this series.

"It's fantastic. Like I say, one of the big things when this coaching staff started was always going to be the transition of the bowlers, particularly with guys like Shami not playing anymore. This week or a couple of weeks ago when we got together in Chandigarh to see those three young guys coming in fold, it was literally like a Wow moment.

"The way Gurnoor (Brar) has bowled in his first two games, to see a young Indian pacer hit 147, 148, it's like, I'm sure you guys are all excited as we are. Obviously the T20 was a big lead up for the next 15 months and to balance the experience that this team has,” he said.

With the 2027 World Cup cycle underway, India's management appears focused on building depth in both the all-rounder and fast-bowling departments, and Nitish is among the players being clo

Atul Wassan, former India cricketer believes Virat Kohli's absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Team India. According to Wassan, the break will help manage Kohli's workload ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup while also creating opportunities for emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Kohli has been ruled out of the ODI series after sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final on May 31. Despite the injury, the star batter remained unbeaten on 75 and played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's ***** le-winning campaign, helping the franchise secure back-to-back IPL trophies. What was initially believed to be cramps was later confirmed to be a hamstring issue.

The three-match ODI series against Afghanistan begins on June 13 in Dharamshala, with the remaining matches scheduled to be played in Lucknow and Chennai. In Kohli's absence, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been drafted into the squad. Jaiswal last featured in an ODI against South Africa, where he scored a century.

Speaking to ANI, Wassan welcomed the decision to rest Kohli.

"I'm actually happy with this news about Virat Kohli missing this series against Afghanistan. I thought it would have been overkill if Virat played every single series going forward to the next World Cup. Looking at the intensity on his body during the IPL, and him playing in this heat at his age, I think it would have been pragmatic for him to take a backseat anyway," Wassan said.

The former cricketer compared Kohli's workload management to that of pace spearhead Jasprit ***** rah and stressed the importance of preserving key players for major ICC tournaments.

"We have to take a balanced look at how we use ***** rah these days. These are the two guys we have to save in cotton wool because we want to take them to the next World Cup. That's where every team wants its best players available and performing," he added.

Wassan also highlighted the depth of Indian cricket, pointing out that Kohli's absence opens the door for a player of Jaiswal's calibre.

"Imagine, Virat goes out and Jaiswal comes in. Can you imagine the embarrassment of riches Indian cricket has? Even a player like Yashasvi Jaiswal is struggling to find a regular place in the ODI side, and now he gets an opportunity. I think it's a win-win situation for India. I'm not even a little bit bothered about Virat not playing, and for me, it's actually good news,'' Wassan ***** erted.

Looking ahead, Wassan emphasized that Kohli's experience will be vital during India's ODI tour of England, which begins on July 14.

"By the England tour, because we're playing in England, I think we'll need him there to rally the forces. I think it's the perfect outcome for us," he concluded.

Kohli enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 675 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and a career-best strike rate of 165.85. India's next ODI

The BCCI has officially announced India's squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, with several notable changes grabbing attention. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav, while 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his maiden senior India call-up. Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain.

However, the biggest talking point from the squad announcement was the absence of two of India's most experienced white-ball stars - Jasprit **** rah and Hardik Pandya.
Jasprit **** rah has been rested for the Ireland and England T20I tour as part of India's workload management plans ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. While he is not part of the T20I squad, the premier fast bowler has been included in India's squad for the Asian Games, indicating that the management is carefully managing his schedule rather than sidelining him completely.
Unlike **** rah, Hardik Pandya was not considered for selection as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that the management's primary focus is to have Hardik fully fit and available for the ODI format, particularly with the long-term goal of preparing for the 50-over World Cup.

"He's part of the ODIs. Like Jasprit **** rah, the main objective is to see if he can start playing well and stay healthy for the 50-over World Cup," Agarkar said in Press conference.
India's squad for the Ireland and England T20Is features a blend of established performers and exciting young talent:

Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Nitish **** ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Bumrah, meanwhile, remains part of India's plans for the Asian Games, where Shreyas Iyer will also lead the side.

India's Asian Games squad: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish **** ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit **** rah.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced India's men's cricket squad for the 2026 Asian Games in ****** an, with Shreyas Iyer set to lead the side and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning a maiden call-up to the senior national T20 setup.

The squad marks the beginning of a new chapter in India's white-ball plans, with Iyer replacing Suryakumar Yadav as captain. The decision continues the selectors' recent push towards building a wider leadership pool ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2028.

The biggest talking point, however, is the inclusion of 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals star has enjoyed a meteoric rise following a record-breaking IPL 2026 season and had been widely tipped for a national call-up.
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Nitish ****** ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit ****** rah.
— BCCI (BCCI)
Iyer was picked for the home T20I series against New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup as a replacement for injured Tilak Varma, but didn’t get a chance to play. At 31, Iyer returns to the T20I fold not only as a batter but as India’s 15th captain in the shortest format, entrusted with steering the side into the next phase of its dominating journey.

It is also the second successive instance of an Indian captain being replaced soon after lifting an ICC trophy. In 2025, Rohit Sharma led India to the Champions Trophy triumph in March, but was replaced by Shubman Gill as the ODI captain before India toured Australia in October. For now, June 6 will be remembered as the day India signalled its intent for moving into the future by making Shreyas the T20I captain.
The cricket competition at the Asian Games will be held in ****** an between September 24 and October 3, 2026. India, along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts ****** an, received direct qualification for the men's event.

Shreyas Iyer was announced as the new India T20I captain when the men's senior selection committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar picked the squads for the tours of Ireland, England coupled with the Asian Games. Iyer replaces Suryakumar Yadav who failed to find a spot in the squad altogether. Tilak Varma has also been elevated as vice-captain in the T20I setup, which doesn't see many changes from the squad that won the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Jasprit ****** rah wasn't picked for the T20Is against England and Ireland but was included in the Asian Games squad, which will be held in Aichi–Nagoya, ****** an. Mohammed Siraj made way for ****** rah and Prince Yadav in the 15-member squad for the multi-games event.

Both Siraj and Yadav are likely to feature in the ODIs against the West Indies which will overlap with the Asian Games.

In a notable change, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was picked in both squads with selectors expressing a combination of excitement and apprehension to see what he offers on the big stage.
Addressing a query on why Iyer was picked and appointed as captain, Agarkar said, "We have seen what Shreyas Iyer has done in different seasons with different teams. He was close to getting to the World Cup squad as well. He is a standout candidate with enough experience. It's a tough one on SKY [Suryakumar Yadav]. You try and reassess after a World Cup; this was best way forward".

Hardik Pandya, undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI CoE, wasn't considered for the T20I series because the management, similar to their approach with ****** rah, want to preserve the premier all-rounder for the 50-over World Cup.

"He is part of the ODIs. Like Jasprit ****** rah, the main objective is to see if he can start playing well and stay healthy for the 50-over World Cup," explained Agarkar.

India squad for Ireland and England T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vc), Nitish ****** ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

India squad for Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (C), Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish ****** ar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun C, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jasprit ****** rah

Jasprit ****** rah – IPL 2025
18 wickets in 11 innings
Economy: 6.37 | Avg: 15.33
Dot ball%: 46.92 (highest)
Powerplay ER: 3.33
Middle overs ER: 3.2

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