India’s senior selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar is expected to announce the squads for the one-off Test against Afghanistan national cricket team and the following ODI series on May 19.
The Test match is scheduled to take place from June 6 to 10. The ODI series will then be played on June 14, 17 and 20.
With the ongoing Indian Premier League nearing its final stage, preparations for the international assignments have already started.
Reports suggest that players who are likely to feature in the Test squad have been asked to gradually increase their workload ahead of the five-day match. The management reportedly wants the players to be ready immediately after the IPL concludes.
Shubman Gill is expected to lead a strong batting unit for the Test match. While the batting combination appears mostly settled, the selectors are still expected to take a final decision on the pace attack closer to the meeting.
There is growing speculation that Jasprit Bumrah could be rested for the series. If that happens, the selectors may look at a few fresh pace bowling options.
One player who has reportedly impressed the selectors is Gurnoor Brar. The left-arm pacer has attracted attention with his pace, movement and consistency in hitting disciplined areas.
The ODI squad selection is also expected to create major discussion, especially regarding the wicketkeeper-batter positions.
KL Rahul remains the team management’s preferred wicketkeeper in the ODI format. He is expected to continue in that role as India prepares for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
However, the battle for the backup wicketkeeper position is becoming increasingly competitive.
Rishabh Pant has remained part of the setup, but his inconsistent batting performances during the IPL have reportedly created some uncertainty around his place.
At the same time, Ishan Kishan has pushed himself back into contention through strong performances and his flexibility in the batting order.
Another player under discussion is Sanju Samson. The Kerala batter has delivered impressive ODI performances whenever given opportunities, and selectors may consider him alongside Pant and Ishan for the wicketkeeper-batter role.
The selectors are also expected to discuss the spin-bowling all-rounder position.
Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel remain the leading choices, but recent performances could influence the final decision.
Jadeja’s recent ODI returns with both bat and ball have not been particularly impactful. There are also concerns regarding the level of attacking intent expected from a middle-order batter in modern ODI cricket.
It remains unclear whether the management will continue backing Jadeja, move towards Axar Patel, or explore another option ahead of future tournaments.
The upcoming selection meeting is expected to offer a clearer picture regarding the long-term direction the Indian team management wants to take over the next few years.
