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SPORTS MAY 14, 2021 | The Indian Eye 48

World test chAMPionshiP

BuBBle, vaCCines and

a TesT Of nerves

India announces a 20-member squad for matches in England

Siraj and Umesh Yadav,” said
Our Bureau Parthiv on Star Sports’ show

New Delhi Cricket Connected
“There’s enough depth in
he Board of Control for the squad. If we talk about bats-
Cricket in India (BCCI)
Thas made a foolproof men -- Rohit Sharma, Shubh-
plan for the national team be- man Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya
fore they depart for the UK to Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara,
play the World Test Champion- Rishabh Pant -- there’s a proper
band of proper batsmen who can
ship (WTC) final against New bat well in England,” he added.
Zealand and the five-match Test Further elaborating, Parthiv,
series against England. who powered Gujarat to their
Sources in the know of the
roadmap drawn said arrange- india are the favorites to win the trophy maiden Ranji Trophy title, cited
ments have been made for all the example of KL Rahul who
isn’t the first choice opener in
the players to undergo three RT- Tests, and despite that, the squad
PCR tests before assembling in looks well balanced to take on
Mumbai on May 19. “The play- New Zealand in the WTC final.
ers will be undergoing three RT-
PCR tests at their homes, and “Everyone scored runs, and
once they return negative tests, there is a spare batsman in KL
they will be assembling in Mum- Rahul. Imagine KL Rahul not
finding a space in the Test squad,
bai on May 19. Everyone in the so how strong this squad could
contingent will be undergoing be. Then there is Axar Patel,
14-day quarantine in India be- who was probably been the Man
fore they leave for the UK on
June 2,” said the source. of the Match in a lot of matches
Almost all the members of against England,” said Parthiv.
“He came in place of Ravin-
the Indian contingent set to de- dra Jadeja and never felt like
part for the UK have taken the Ravindra Jadeja was out. Now
first dose of their Covid-19 vac- Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin
cine and they are likely to take will be back, so I think this squad
the second jab in the UK itself.
Earlier, speaking about the India skipper Virat Kohli receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (ANI) looks really strong,” he added.
vaccination of the players, a Prithvi And BhUvi Miss
BCCI official had said: “The the coming days.” WTC final and the five-match the BUs
Indian government has opened Test series against England that Opening batsman Prith-
vaccination for every person PArthiv lAvishes PrAise follows. Parthiv, who represent- vi Shaw missed the bus as the
above 18 so the players can take on teAM ed India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs,
their first dose. But the second Former India wicket-keeper and two T20Is, feels Team India Board of Control for Cricket in
dose is the question here and batsman Parthiv Patel lavished has covered all the bases for the India (BCCI) on Friday named
while the BCCI is looking at praise on the recently picked UK tour. a 20-member squad (two sub-
ject to fitness clearance) for
working closely with England squad for the World Test Cham- “I think it looks a really strong the World Test Championship
and Wales Cricket Board to en- pionship (WTC) final against squad. If you want to compare (WTC) final against New Zea-
sure players can get a second New Zealand, slated to be India and New Zealand squad, land slated to be played in June
dose in the UK, if that is not ap- played in June. I think we have covered all the
proved by the UK government, The BCCI has named a bases. You talk about fast bowl- and the five-match Test series
we will have the vaccine taken 20-member squad (two subject ers, we’ve got Bumrah, Ishan, against England that follows.
from India for the second dose. to fitness clearance) which will Shami and if either of them is All-rounder Hardik Pandya
Let’s see how that works out in also have standby players for the not fit then there’s Mohammad Continued on next page... >>

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