On Friday, October 25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s squad for the upcoming 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy(BGT) series.
India currently holds the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after defeating Australia at home in the last series. The Indian team also won the Test series in Australia on their last two tours in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
The squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes three players who haven’t played a Test match yet: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Some important players are missing from the squad. Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel aren’t part of the team. Shami is still recovering from an injury, and Kuldeep Yadav is out with a groin injury that will keep him from joining the tour. Additionally, all-rounder Axar Patel has been left out.
Shami’s absence is a big blow for the team, as he has been one of India’s top bowlers in overseas Tests. There were recent reports that he might return for the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after recovering from a knee injury. However, with Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna joining the squad, his selection now seems unlikely. Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed have also been named backup pacers.
Fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, known for his past performances is also missing from the squad, with Nitish Reddy taking his place. Additionally, top domestic player Abhimanyu Easwaran has been chosen as a backup opener, leaving no room for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the team.
The schedule for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to begin with the first Test starting on November 22 in Perth. The following four Tests are scheduled for December 6, 14, 26, and January 3, and will take place in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, respectively.
