KL Rahul added to India squad for 2nd Test

By: Express Web Desk | Published:November 15 2016 3:10 pm KL Rahul had suffered a hamstring injury to miss six weeks of action. (Express photo) KL Rahul has come back into the India squad for the on-going five match Test series against England with the opening batsman included in the second Test to commence from November 17 in Visakhapatnam. Both teams have already reached the largest city in Andhra Pradesh after the first Test had ended in a nervous draw for India. Rahul returns to the mix after missing the last six weeks during which the national team played three Test matches due to injury. He returned to the middle in the Ranji Trophy contest for Karnataka against Rajasthan and scored 76 from 85 balls in the first innings followed by an unbeaten 32 in the second innings. His stay in the middle was watched by chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and selector Sarandeep Singh. With a perfect return to action KL Rahul made the noise at the right mark. To aid his recovery process Rahul had the BCCI physio look at his movement and rehabilitation process. The inclusion leaves two options for the Indian selectors and Virat Kohli going into the Visakhapatnam Test. It could either mean axing of Gautam Gambhir who had a disappointing stay at the crease in Rajkot. But with the initial squad announced for two Test matches dropping the axe on the Delhi player would be a harsh decision and somewhat hasty. The other option would be to play six batsmen after the second innings collapse in the Rajkot Test which nearly brought about an England win until Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja calmed things down in the final session. Express ADDA With Baba Ramdev Demonetisation: Banks Provide New Rs 500 Notes Venkaiah Naidu On Demonetisation: No Regrets Bigg Boss 10 November 14 Review: Contestants Still Stand Divided Between Indiawaale And Celebrities J&K Schools: Amid Shutdown Restrictions Board Examinations Begin Ghazipur: PM Modi Flags Off Shabd Bhedi Express http://promodj.com/linux.live Ghazipur: PM Modi Promises To Open Files Of Patel Committee This Is How People Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti Nation Celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti Demonetisation: Brinda Karat Calls PM Modi s Speech Drama Vizag Police Nabs Prisoners Escaped From Warangal Central Jail Demonetisation Will Affect Fashion Industry Only In Short Run Feels Designer Sabyasachi New Zealand: Two Killed In 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Demonetisation: Banking Correspondents Can Withdraw Cash Multiple Times Says Shaktikanta Das PM Modi Claims Demonetisation Has Left Corrupts With No Option The Indian Express Online Media Pvt Ltd NEW DELHI: Opening batsman KL Rahul has been included in the squad for the second India v England Test at to be played at ACA-VDCA stadium Visakhapatnam from November 17 2016. The Karnataka batsman was sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. However he has made full recovery and is currently playing for his state side Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He proved his fitness with knocks of 76 and 106 in the match against Rajasthan with India s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and selector Sarandeep Singh in attendance. He also had a BCCI physio specially flown in to keep an eye on his movements and recovery.Rahul will most likely be drafted in to the playing XI and Gautam Gambhir who registered scores of 29 and 0 in the first Test against England will have to make way for the 24-year-old. Talking to the Times of India during the Ranji fixture Rahul had stated that he had no trouble while fielding and enjoyed his batting stint in the middle. I m feeling good. It s important to get some match practice. You can spend a lot of time in the gym doing your rehab and training but you are never fully healed until you play a few games. That way this game has helped me in gaining some confidence and get some time out in the middle. I m happy with the way I batted. Even when I was fielding I could move well and get back to being quick and agile said Rahul. NEWS ALERT - Batsman @klrahul11 added in #TeamIndia squad ahead of 2nd @Paytm Test in Vizag #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/0IRHnJfHVF BCCI (@BCCI) November 15 2016 NEW DELHI: Fit-again KL Rahul could get the nod for the second Test starting in Visakhapatnam on Thursday if he is able to convince the selectors with his match fitness. Sources indicated to TOI that there is a section in the team management who believes that a fit Rahul should be inducted into the playing XI because of his recent exploits with the bat. The Karnataka batsman had scored 76 in the first innings against Team Rajasthan and was batting on 32 by close of play on the second day in Vizianagaram. Sources said that the selectors were assessing Rahul s fitness and could take a call whether to accommodate him for the Visakhapatnam Test by Tuesday. It s a five match series and there is no point chopping and changing after one match. A senior selector is already watching Rahul in action during the Ranji Trophy match and a detail discussion would be held on Tuesday the source revealed. Will India s experienced opener Gautam Gambhir be in the playing XI despite his failure in the Rajkot Test match against England? The selectors seem to be of the opinion that a player of Gambhir s calibre can t be shown the door after one failure. Added to it is the fact that he was picked for two Tests and therefore will continue to be a part of the team. On the other hand there is also a thinking in the team to go in with six batsmen after a second innings batting collapse in Rajkot. It is given to understand that Gambhir would be given a longer rope in the Test series to prove his worth. Rahul is already in the team s scheme of things. If India go in with six batsmen they will preferably pick Rahul and that is the call which the selectors would be taking by Wednesday. If Rahul is match-fit he would be asked to join the team the source added. Mumbai: Here is the roundup of all the action from Day One of the fresh round of Ranji Trophy matchesSanklecha grabs 7/25 as Maharashtra in command vs VidarbhaMedium pacer Anupam Sanklecha ripped through Vidarbha with a career best seven-wicket haul as they crashed to their lowest score of 59 against Maharahstra in their group B Ranji Trophy cricket fixture on Sunday.Maharashtra s Anupam Sanklecha. PTISanklecha returned with 7/25 which included a devastating second spell of 5-3-10-5 after a change of ends as Vidarbha s first innings folded in two hours 15 minutes in the first session.Such was the hurry that Vidarbha whose previous lowest against Maharashtra was 61 (Nashik 2010-11) lost their last five wickets for eight runs to sink to a new low.In reply Maharashtra were 240 for 3 to take a firm grip on the four-day match with a massive 181-run lead exactly the same as Naushad Sheikh (111 batting) and Ankit Bawne s (75 batting) undefeated fourth wicket stand.Maharashtra began on a jittery note after being reduced to 12/2 in the third over but Jadhav fresh from his exploits against New Zealand counter attacked before being dismissed in a sloppy manner for a 29-ball 30 (6x4).But Shaikh batted with patience en route to his second successive century and he struck 19 fours and one six.He found a good company in Bawne (75 from 131 balls; 10x4 2x6) as the duo carried on from where they had left in their match against Rajasthan where the duo had put on 177 including Shaikh s 143.It took no rocket science for Kedar Jadhav to put Vidarbha in after winning a good toss and the script folded at the Eden Gardens on a familiar note with day one witnessing a bagful of 13 wickets as another early finish is looming.For a third successive time a team batting first folded inside 100 this season the previous being Delhi s 90 against Karnataka and Saurashtra s 81 versus Assam.There was some initial movements from the track which needed some technique and temperament but Vidarbha batsmen lacked in both and were done in especially by the away-going deliveries.Having given the first breakthrough in his first over http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/people/framaroot/profile.html when Sanjay Ramaswamy edged behind the stumps to make Vidarbha 0/1 Sanklecha took a break and returned to haunt them from over number 22.Before that debutant Pradeep Dadhe (2/11) had given twin breakthroughs including Vidarbha s top scorer on the day Shalabh Srivastava (19) to rattle them ot 43/4.Sanklecha had wickets in successive balls in the 24th over when he dismissed Ravi Jangid and Akshay Karneshwar as from then on it was a one-way road for Sanklecha. It was a dream spell. I just did what my captain asked me to do to stick to line and length. The conditions were humid so I took a break and changed the ends seeing that there was more assistance from the other side Sanklecha said.Brief Scores: Vidarbha 59; 28 overs (Anupam Sanklecha 7/25). Maharashtra 240/3; 55 overs (Naushad Sheikh 111 batting Ankit Bawne 75 batting). Tiwari Pan score fifties as Bengal reach 190/3 on day oneSkipper Manoj Tiwary and middle order-batsman Agniv Pan struck half centuries as Bengal scored 190 for three against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy Group A match in Rajkot on Sunday.Electing to bat at the Madhavrao Scindia cricket ground Bengal opener Sayan Mondal was dismissed on a duck when the team total was 14.Abhimany Easwaran and one-down Sudip Chaterjee tried to steady the Bengal innings but the latter retired hurt when he was on 34. Easwaran went back to the pavilion on 31 on a pitch which slightly aided the seamers in the initial session.Tiwary who came in at number four made a patient 56 hitting five boundaries in 161 balls. He was supported by Pan as the duo had a cautious approach.Tiwary was caught and bowled by Aushik Sriniwas. Pan too notched up his 50 and was unbeaten 51 at stumps alongside Shreevasts Goswami (15).For Tamil Nadu Ashwin Crist T Natrajan and Aushik Srinivas scalped a wicket each conceding 19 56 and 33 runs respectively.Brief Scores: Bengal 190 for 3- Manoj Tiwary 56 Agniv Pan batting 51 versus Tamil Nadu Ashwin Crist 1-19. Assam 224/5 against Odisha on day 1Kunal Saikia remained unbeaten on 88 as Assam scored 224/5 in their Ranji Trophy Group B match against Odisha in Hyderabad on Sunday.Giving Saikia company at stumps on day one was Arup Das who was yet to open his account at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.Saikia scored his runs off 217 balls with the help of 11 boundaries while skipper KB Arun Karthik contributed 62 off 124 balls striking six fours and a six.Karthik opted to bat after the coin landed in his team s favour.Sibshankar Roy chipped in with 37 but it was the 131-run partnership fifth-wicket partnership between Saikia and Karthik which propped up Assam after they lost four wickets for 93 runs.Assam had a disastrous start as they lost both their openers with just seven runs on the board in the morning session.Basant Mohanty and Suryakant Pradhan picked up two wickets apiece for Odisha. Saurashtra all out for 277 against JharkhandJharkhand were 29 for no loss after bowling out Saurashtra for 277 in their Ranji Trophy Group B match in Agartala on SundaySent into bat Saurashtra relied on Perak Mankad s 96 to cross the 250-run mark at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium.Skipper Jaydev Shah made 51 for Saurashtra.While Mankad struck 11 boundaries in his 137-ball knock Shah found the fence seven times and cleared it once during his 63-ball innings.Shah and Mankad put on 62 runs for the fifth wicket the highest on the opening day of the game.For Jharkhand Ashish Kumar returned impressive figures of 4/52 and Shahbaz Nadeem picked up 3/95.When the stumps were drawn at the end of day s play Jharkhand openers Anand Singh and Pratyush Singh were batting on 17 and 11 respectively.Jharkhand trailed by 248 runs with 10 wickets remaining in their first innings. Haryana 295/5 against J&KHaryana put up a reasonably fine batting performance to post 295/5 on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Jammu and Kashmir in Cuttack on Sunday.Put in to bat by J&K opener Nitin Saini (90) and Rajat Paliwal (99 batting) were the star performers for Haryana.Rohit Sharma was another notable contributor to Haryana s total with a 98-ball 51.For J&K Parveez Rasool picked up three wickets for a mere 43 runs in his 20 overs.Saini s 90-run effort was laced with 16 fours while Paliwal s unbeaten knock was studded with 12 hits to the fence.Brief Scores: Haryana: 295/5 in 90 overs (Nitin Saini 90 Rajat Paliwal 99 batting Parveez Rasool 3/43). Hyderabad post 303 for 7 despite middle-order collapseRiding on an unbeaten 83 by B Sandeep Hyderabad managed to post 303 for 7 at stumps on the first day of their Group G Ranji Trophy encounter against Services in Mumbai.Put into bat at the MCA s Bandra-Kurla complex ground Hyderabad openers added 31 when Benjamin Thomas was dismissed for 14. B Anirudh and and Akshath Reddy then conjured 105 runs for the second wicket stand before Services made a stunning comeback by crippling the Hyderabad middle-order.Both Reddy and Anirudh rotated the strike well and also played eloquent shots. However it was Services medium-pacer Raushan Raj who was rewarded for his disciplined line and length as he grabbed three quick wickets.Reddy was caught by keeper Nakul Verma off Raj on 64 which comprised 9 boundaries. Anirudh was trapped leg before the wicket on 49 and in the same over Raj sent back Sumanth Kolla for a duck.Raj who eventually took four wickets was robbed off a hat-rick due to sloppy fielding. He also dismissed Akash Bhandari on 4 as he kept bowling in the same areas.Meanwhile S Badrinath was run out for a duck. Hyderabad who were comfortably positioned at 136 for 2 soon were reeling under pressure with the 141 for 6.Then B Sandeep was ably supported by Mehdi Hasan who notched 63 off 84 deliveries and helped the side recover and pass the 250-run-mark.They shared a 135-run stand for the seventh wicket. Hasan was run out on 61 by Raj Bahadur Paul. For Services spinner Vikas Yadav scaled a wicket each.Brief Scores: Hyderabad 303/7 (B Sandeep 83 batting Akshath Reddy 64 Raushan Raj 4/52 Vikas Yadav 1/70) vs versus Services. Rahul back in action with a fluent 76 as Karnataka score 345/6India s new batting sensation KL Rahul annnounced his comeback from injury in style as he smashed 76 off only 85 balls as Karnataka scored 345 for six against Rajasthan in a group B Ranji Trophy encounter in Vizianagaram on Sunday.With veteran Gautam Gambhir looking horribly out of sync with his flawed technique against seam bowling the Indian team management is desperate to get Rahul back https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/users/p-eo-p-le-p-od-u-s-egmail-com/ in the fold as he was playing brilliantly before a hamstring injury during the Kanpur Test against New Zealand.With Anil Kumble setting a protocol that one Ranji Trophy match being must to test the match fitness Rahul passed the batting test in flying colours as he hit 15 fours and a six in his 85 balls. He scored 66 runs in boundaries in 16 scoring strokes.He was severe on both Pankaj Singh and Deepak Chahar hitting some flowing drives off both front and backfoot.Rahul was finally out nicking one off left-arm seamer Tanvir Mantesar ul Haq to Chetan Bist.Rahul and opener Ravikumar Samarth (62) added 111 runs in 24.3 overs.It was for Rahul that Mayank Agarwal batted at No 4 as the selectors need to keep a tab on his fitness more than the runs that he would be scoring.Agarwal who otherwise opens came in at No 4 to score 81 off 127 balls with 12 boundaries.Stuart Binny (37) and CM Gautham (35) were set before getting dismissed.Brief Scores: Karnataka 345/6 (KL Rahul 76 Mayank Agarwal 81 Tanvir Mantesar ul Haq 3/64) vs Rajasthan. Thakkar and Prem hit tons as Kerala dominate day oneRohan Prem and Bhavin Thakkar hit centuries as Kerala took Goa to the cleaners to take an upper hand in their group C Ranji Trophy cricket fixture at Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.Down 12/1 in the seventh over Kerala rode on a huge 234-run partnership between Thakkar (120 batting; 16x4) and Prem (117; 14x4) to close day one on 290/2.Giving Prem company was Sanju Samson on 28 at stumps.Fresh from their win against Chhattisgarh Goa started on a positive not when Rituraj Singh (1/21) dismissed Vishnu Sood but they found the going tough with Thakkar and Prem putting up a fine partnership.Brief Scores: Kerala 290/2; 90 overs (Rohan Prem 120 batting Bhavin Thakkar 117) vs Goa. Panchal makes 62 in Gujarat s 224/4Priyank Kirit Panchal made a solid 62 as Gujarat ended at 224 for four on day one of their Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Nagothane on Sunday.After a 75-run stand for the opening wicket with Samit Gohel Panchal anchored the Gujarat innings with a 170-ball effort.Captain Parthiv Patel too played well but missed out on a half century by a run.Manpreet Juneja and Chirag Gandhi were batting on 44 and 9 respectively at close of play.Ankit Sharma was the most prolific bowler for Madhya Pradesh taking two wickets for 60 runs.Gujarat won the toss and opted to bat at the Reliance Cricket Stadium here.Brief scores: Gujarat 224/4 in 90 overs (Panchal 62; Ankit Sharma 2/60). Andhra take control after bowling out Tripura for 171Andhra reached 47 for 1 after bowling out Tripura for 171 in a Ranji Trophy group C encounter in Valsad on Sunday.Pacer DP Vijaykumar took 4/56 in 23 overs while new ball partner Cheepurapalli Stephen took 3 for 47.For Tripura opener Bishal Ghosh scored 31 while No 10 Bunti Roy was top scorer 34.Brief Scores: Tripura 1st Innings 171 (Bunti Roy 34 DP Vijaykumar 4/56). Amdhra 47/1 (Hanuma Vihari 18 batting). Railways takes control on day one with Avinash s five-forNagpur Nov 13 (PTI) Left-arm spinner Avinash Yadav returned career-best figures of five for 50 as Railways bowled out Baroda for a paltry 183 in their Ranji Trophy Group A match here today.It was not a bad start from Baroda after winning the toss but Avinash ripped apart the middle-order to let his side gain control of the match.In their reply Railways were 39 for none at stumps on day one of the contest with opener Shivakant Shukla (23) and Wakaskar (16).Ashish Singh removed Aditya Waghmode (13) removed early but Kedar Devdhar (45) and Dhiren Mistry (50) batted well and Baroda were placed 137 for three at one stage.However they lost seven wickets for just 46 runs with Avinash wiping off the middle order while Karn Sharma chipped in with three wickets.Brief Scores:Baroda 1st innings: 183 all out in 74 overs. (D Mistry 50 K Devdhar 45; A Yadav 5/50 K Sharma 3/57).Railways 1st innigs: 39 for no loss in 14 overs.First Published On : Nov 13 2016 23:01 IST By: PTI | Vizianagaram | Published:November 13 2016 8:36 pm KL Rahul and opener Ravikumar Samarth (62) added 111 runs in 24.3 overs. (Source: File) India s new batting sensation KL Rahul annnounced his comeback from injury in style as he smashed 76 off only 85 balls as Karnataka scored 345 for six against Rajasthan in a group B Ranji Trophy encounter. With veteran Gautam Gambhir looking horribly out of sync with his flawed technique against seam bowling the Indian team management is desperate to get Rahul back in the fold as he was playing brilliantly before a hamstring injury during the Kanpur Test against New Zealand. With Anil Kumble setting a protocol that one Ranji Trophy match being must to test the match fitness Rahul passed the batting test in flying colours as he hit 15 fours and a six in his 85 balls. He scored 66 runs in boundaries in 16 scoring strokes. He was severe on both Pankaj Singh and Deepak Chahar hitting some flowing drives off both front and backfoot. Rahul was finally out nicking one off left-arm seamer Tanvir Mantesar ul Haq to Chetan Bist. Express ADDA With Baba Ramdev Demonetisation: Banks Provide New Rs 500 Notes Venkaiah Naidu On Demonetisation: No Regrets Bigg Boss 10 November 14 Review: Contestants Still Stand Divided Between Indiawaale And Celebrities J&K Schools: Amid Shutdown Restrictions Board Examinations Begin Ghazipur: PM Modi Flags Off Shabd Bhedi Express Ghazipur: PM Modi Promises To Open Files Of Patel Committee This Is How People Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti Nation Celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti Demonetisation: Brinda Karat Calls PM Modi s Speech Drama Vizag Police Nabs Prisoners Escaped From Warangal Central Jail Demonetisation Will Affect Fashion Industry Only In Short Run Feels Designer Sabyasachi New Zealand: Two Killed In 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Demonetisation: Banking Correspondents Can Withdraw Cash Multiple Times Says Shaktikanta Das PM Modi Claims Demonetisation Has Left Corrupts With No Option Rahul and opener Ravikumar Samarth (62) added 111 runs in 24.3 overs. It was for Rahul that Mayank Agarwal batted at No 4 as the selectors need to keep a tab on his fitness more than the runs that he would be scoring. Agarwal who otherwise opens came in at No 4 to score 81 off 127 balls with 12 boundaries. Stuart Binny (37) and CM Gautham (35) were set before getting dismissed. Brief Scores: Karnataka 345/6 (KL Rahul 76 Mayank Agarwal 81 Tanvir Mantesar ul Haq 3/64) vs Rajasthan. Written by Shamik Chakrabarty | Kolkata | Updated: November 2 2016 11:13 am KL Rahul picked up an injury during the first Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur. (Source: File) There is a question mark over KL Rahul s fitness as the national selectors meet in Mumbai on Wednesday to pick the India squad for the forthcoming five-Test series against England beginning in Rajkot on November 9. Rahul had suffered a right hamstring injury during the first Test against New Zealand which ruled him out of the remaining part of the recently concluded three-match series. He was supposed to return to action for Karnataka his state team for the third round of the Ranji Trophy. Rahul however didn t show up. He wasn t fit yet. He wasn t 100 per cent which is why he didn t feature in our Ranji Trophy game against Assam. I have no idea if he would be fit for the England series. That s not my prerogative also. He wasn t fully fit as far as our last match was concerned Karnataka coach J Arun Kumar told The Indian Express. The MSK Prasad-led selection committee will get an update on Rahul s fitness ahead of the meeting tomorrow. They will decide accordingly. If the opener is passed fit he walks in. The 24-year-old is one of the most improved Indian batsmen of late. A tally of 236 runs at 78.66 including a century and a half-century in three Tests in the Caribbean helped Rahul cement his place as Murali Vijay s opening partner. At Green Park also he looked to be in fine fettle while scoring 32 and 38 respectively in the two innings. Little wonder then that BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke had described Rahul s injury as very unfortunate . The Karnataka batsman s availability or non-availability throws open two different possibilities. With Rahul in the side there could be a keen contest between Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir for the reserve opener s slot. The latter had been drafted in as a cover following Rahul s injury in Kanpur. Dhawan duly played the second Test against New Zealand in Kolkata but suffered a left thumb fracture. It paved the way for Gambhir to turn up for India after over two years and the veteran scored a 56-ball 50 in the second innings in Indore providing the necessary impetus as the team played for declaration. Gambhir is also fresh from his 147 in the Ranji Trophy fixture against Orissa. Dhawan didn t play the match for Delhi and the selectors await an update on his recovery. A fit Dhawan will present a selection dilemma. According to a source close to the selection panel there s a school of thought that Dhawan deserves a longer rope because he is an impact player. Only one half-century in his last 14 Test innings however attests inconsistency. Then again the left-hander sets up the game for his team when he gets going. A 147-ball 84 at North Sound in July was a case in point. Dhawan had the laid the foundation for India s victory charge before Virat Kohli s double hundred took the game away from the opposition. But successive failures ensued and Dhawan eventually lost his place to Rahul. Still dropping Dhawan might mean all these years spent on him are wasted. Express ADDA With Baba Ramdev Demonetisation: Banks Provide New Rs 500 Notes Venkaiah Naidu On Demonetisation: No Regrets Bigg Boss 10 November 14 Review: Contestants Still Stand Divided Between Indiawaale And Celebrities J&K Schools: Amid Shutdown Restrictions Board Examinations Begin Ghazipur: PM Modi Flags Off Shabd Bhedi Express Ghazipur: PM Modi Promises To Open Files Of Patel Committee This Is How People Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti Nation Celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti Demonetisation: Brinda Karat Calls PM Modi s Speech Drama Vizag Police Nabs Prisoners Escaped From Warangal Central Jail Demonetisation Will Affect Fashion Industry Only In Short Run Feels Designer Sabyasachi New Zealand: Two Killed In 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Demonetisation: Banking Correspondents Can Withdraw Cash Multiple Times Says Shaktikanta Das PM Modi Claims Demonetisation Has Left Corrupts With No Option Gambhir s ability to play spin was a major reason for his recall. In fact chief selector MSK Prasad vetoed team management s choice (Karun Nair) to bring the 35-year-old back to the fold. With turning pitches being the winning formula on home soil Gambhir got the nod with an eye on the long season ahead. It will be interesting to see if he is retained the for the England series. A lot will depend on Rahul and Dhawan s fitness. Nair picked as reinforcement for the third Test against New Zealand following Dhawan s injury remains as a stand-by. On the face of it the selection committee doesn t have much to mull on. India have won four Test series in a row the latest being a 3-0 whitewash of the Kiwis. They are unbeaten in 13 Tests and the majority of the squad selects itself. But injuries have made things a little complicated. Bhuvneshwar Kumar sustained a back injury during the second Test against New Zealand and he hasn t played any cricket since. The Uttar Pradesh seamer had been instrumental in India s victory against West Indies at Gros Islet and New Zealand in Kolkata with a couple of five-fors but without game time his match fitness should be under the scanner. The team however has a like-for-like replacement in Shardul Thakur. Ishant Sharma on the other hand has played two Ranji Trophy matches after recovering from chikungunya and is likely to be included. The Poms are still smarting over their Mirpur meltdown and R Ashwin will be a huge upgrade on the callow Bangladesh offie Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Ashwin is in the form of his life and will be raring to go after a well-deserved rest in the ODI series against the Blackcaps. His spin bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja too will be fresh after the ODI break and the duo will have an in-form Amit Mishra for company. If the selectors pick a 16-member squad with an additional spinner Haryana offie Jayant Yadav will get in. The latter had been part of the Indian Test squad against New Zealand before making his ODI debut in Vizag. Asked if the squad would be picked for the first three Tests or all five Shirke said: That s for the selectors to decide tomorrow.