Hardik rise continues as selectors pick the all-rounder for England Test series

Mumbai: Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the entire five-match Test series against England and an injury-plagued India will continue to miss openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul for the first two Tests.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya who made an impressive start to his ODI career in the last series against New Zealand has been included in the Test squad for the first time.

Off-spinner Jayant Yadav and middle-order batsman Karun Nair who were named as replacements for Ishant Sharma and Dhawan during the previous Test series have retained their places. Ishant who was suffering from Chikunguniya is also back in the side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recovered from back injury suffered during the second Test against Kiwis, but was not selected because of lack of match practice and his replacement in the squad for the Indore Test, Shardul Thakur was also overlooked.

The five-member selection panel headed by MSK Prasad met here on Wednesday to select the 15-member squad for the first two Tests of the five-match series starting in Rajkot from November 9. This was the first Test team selection from the new panel of selectors.

Rohit sustained an injury to his right thigh during the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand last week at Visakhapatnam and will require six to eight weeks for recovery and even more in case of a surgery.

“(We are) definitely not (considering) him for the Test series. He is badly injured and is going to be assessed in England. In case he does not require a surgical intervention, then 6-8 weeks (for recovery) and if it (surgery) is required then it could be more,” Prasad told reporters here.

Injuries have hampered the Mumbai batsman’s Test career and now it comes at a critical juncture when he is enjoying the confidence of captain and coach. Only recently, he had begun to score some runs in this format. In 2010, Rohit was all set to make his Test debut against Australia at Nagpur when he twisted his ankle while playing football with other team members and had to wait for three years before making his Test debut at Kolkata against West Indies in November 2013.
Rohit’s injury may give India an option to give debut to Pandya in Rajkot as an all-rounder. Pandya has played 16 first-class matches and taken 22 wickets at an average of 33. He has already played four ODIs and 16 T20 internationals.

“Pandya’s pace has increased, he is moving the ball, and he has improved as a batsman. He has mellowed down as a person. He is one allrounder we thought is an equally competent bowler and batsman. And a good fielder too,” Prasad said.
Gautam Gambhir who replaced Rahul after he injured hamstring during first Test against New Zealand played in the Indore Test against Kiwis. He is set to open the innings again in Rajkot with Murali Vijay. Dhawan was ruled out for the third Test and ODIs because of a finger injury.

Virat Kohli will lead the No 1 Test side with Ajinkya Rahane helping him as Vice Captain. Cheteshwar Pujara completes the batting line-up with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. Jayant Yadav who can also bat is the fourth spinner in the side, which includes R Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja. Mohammed Shami will continue to spearhead the pace attack along with Ishant and Umesh Yadav.