‘Dhruv jurul kaha se aaya?’ – Surprise inclusion in Indian squad for first two Tests against England leaves fans scratching their head

The Indian Cricket Board on late Friday announced the squad for the first two Tests against England. India will be hosting their first home series of the 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The five-match series will begin on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Rohit Sharma-led 16-member squad has the presence of big names like Virat Kohli, Japrit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

The inclusion of Dhruv Jurel, who is yet to make his international debut, left fans scratching their head. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) player has been nowhere in Team India’s plans in recent times but has found a place as a backup wicketkeeper. Senior cricketer KL Rahul is likely to continue in this role with KS Bharat as the secondary choice.

While right-arm pacer Mukesh Kumar has almost cemented his name in the Test team with his impressive performances, Avesh Khan is another new name in the bowling department. Avesh was added to the squad against South Africa before the Cape Town Test and now he has replaced out-of-form Prasidh Krishna for the series against England.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Shami were the notable absentees. Both missed India’s last Test assignment against South Africa. While Shami was ruled out due to injury, Kishan stayed away due to personal reasons. The veteran duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav are in the spin department and are expected to play a crucial role in India’s success.

India’s squad for first 2 Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan

Check out the schedule of England’s tour of India 2023-24 – Test series

25th – 29th January, 1st Test, Hyderabad

2nd – 6th February, 2nd Test, Vizag

15th – 19th February, 3rd Test, Rajkot

23rd – 27th February, 4th Test ,Ranchi

7th – 11th March, 5th Test, Dharamsala

Here’s how fans reacted to India’s squad for the first two Tests against England: 

They didn’t give opportunity to Pujara feel sad for him💔

— Listen (@listen_virat) January 12, 2024

Home track bullies are back…

— 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙠 𝙃𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙙 (@iaMalik01) January 12, 2024

Dhruv jurul kaha se aaya?

— Sankott (@Iamsankot) January 12, 2024

Home track bullies will have great days.

— Shah Zaib (@IamShzb) January 12, 2024

Gill ke liye pujara rahane bahar kr diye

— V.S (@vishal070393) January 12, 2024

No Ishan and Jurel over Sarfaraz 🤔

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) January 12, 2024

Ishan Kishan ?? Career over

— AP (@AksP009) January 12, 2024

Utsav ki tayari karo.. pic.twitter.com/QeN2VTgcwM

— 𝙕𝙄𝙈𝘽𝙐 😎 𝕏 (@Zimbu12_) January 12, 2024