Reports | Many top Indian players to miss maiden Test against Afghanistan

Reports | Many top Indian players to miss maiden Test against Afghanistan

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India's historic Test against Afghanistan, to be played this June, can see many new faces in the Indian squad as BCCI plans to send top Indian players to England for getting acclimatized to the conditions. This comes after Virat Kohli had decided to skip the Test for a county stint with Surrey.

According to a BCCI source, apart from Virat Kohli, several top Indian cricketers are set to miss the inaugural Test match against Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from 14th June. After complaints from the team management for not getting enough time to prepare against South Africa, BCCI is not in the mood to repeat the same mistake again. Before the all-important England tour this July, the Indian board wants to send vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Jasprit Bumrah to England to understand the conditions on offer better.  

TOI revealed that sources close to the Committee Of Administrators (CoA) said on Friday said that a second-string team, who were part of the side which won the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, could get the chance to play against Afghanistan.

“Test specialists are set to travel to the UK for early acclimatization. Everyone has hailed it as good planning on part of the CoA. Isn't it more important for India to prepare for the Test in England than fielding the maximum firepower against Afghanistan?” said an official, reported TOI.

Earlier, Kohli and Ashwin had signed to play in England after IPL while Pujara and Ishant, who are without IPL contracts, are already playing in the County Championship there. He also added that some Test specialists will practice under the supervision of Rahul Dravid with the India A team, so all this indicating a good chunk of players to miss this historic Test.

“There is clear understanding that those playing in the County Championship should stay back in England, while another batch of three to four regular Test cricketers could go with India A team under Rahul Dravid to get used to the conditions there. The focus is on ensuring that all the regular Test batsmen get good practice in England before the Test series begins,” said the source, giving a sign that at least six to nine regular cricketers could miss the Test.

The source also hinted that BCCI is planning for players to go England and fly back to India during the Test series.

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