Ravi Shastri Urges BCCI Selectors To Take into account In-Kind IPL Star For England Tests

Former head coach Ravi Shastri sees younger Sai Sudharsan an all-format batter, who deserves to be within the India facet for the Test sequence in opposition to England later this yr. India will begin the brand new World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027) with an away five-Test sequence in England with all eyes on the squad choice following their 0-3 loss to New Zealand at residence and a 1-3 defeat in opposition to Australia within the Border-Gavaskar Tests. Shastri says Sudharsan, presently second on the listing of highest IPL run-getters thus far this season with 456 runs for Gujarat Titans, is a cultured left-hander who will do effectively in English circumstances given his approach and his county stint.

India will begin their England sequence with the Headingley Test, scheduled to start on June 20.

“I see this young man, Sai Sudharsan, for all formats of the game,” Shastri instructed The ICC Review.

“He seems like a class player and my eyes would be on him certainly. Being a left-hander in England, knowing English conditions, and just his technique, the way he plays, I think he’ll be top of the list for me from the outsiders wanting to get into this side,” Shastri mentioned.

Shastri added that Shreyas Iyer, who has had an amazing run in white-ball cricket for India in addition to within the IPL, is one other participant who may get chosen for the England tour, however would face stiff competitors.

“He (Shreyas Iyer) can (make a comeback), but it’s again going to be a competition. White-ball, certain. Test cricket, we’ve got to see who the other players are around,” Shastri mentioned.

With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami again within the reckoning following lengthy damage layoffs, Shastri mentioned India’s bowling assault should even have a left-arm seamer.

“I’ll be looking for a left-armer. I’ll be keeping an eye on which left-armer is in good form, and try and squeeze him in there as the sixth (bowling) option,” mentioned the previous India captain.

“It could be anyone. It could even be a white-ball specialist. I don’t like this thing when they say someone like Arshdeep Singh is a ‘white-ball specialist’.” Shastri mentioned Arshdeep, who has been a everlasting member of the India T20I facet, has the qualities to excel in red-ball cricket.

“I’ll keep a close eye on his red-ball record as well and the number of overs he bowls. If he can bowl 15-20 overs for me, he might very well be in the mix because he’s got the mindset. He’s a thinking bowler and I need a left-armer. It’s just that,” Shastri mentioned.

“You need a left-armer, go and find him, whoever it is and whoever is the best of the lot – pick them. There’s Khaleel Ahmed, who again, his rhythm is good, he’s bowling well. So it’s important to get that mix,” he added. PTI DDV AM DDV AM AM

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