KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja named in India squad for last three Tests vs England, Virat Kohli to miss entire series

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KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have been named in the squad for final three Test matches against England. But Virat Kohli would be missing the final three Tests as well due to personal reasons.

However, the BCCI has added that Rahul and Jadeja, who missed the second Test due to their respective injuries, will play only after getting clearance from the BCCI medical team.

"Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli’s decision," BCCI said in its release.

"The participation of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team," the release further added.

Shreyas Iyer is out due to injury concerns. The middle-order batter felt discomfort in his back and groin during the second Test match which India won to level the five-Test series 1-1.

Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel have retained their placed. Patidar was named as replacement for Kohli ahead of the first Test. The Madhya Pradesh batter made his debut in the second Test match in Vizag.

Sarfaraz Khan was named in the squad for the second Test alongside Washington. Spinner Saurabh Kumar was also part of the squad for second Test, but he has been dropped for the fina three Test matches in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala respectively.

Rumours around vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah being rested has also been brought to an end by the Ajit Agarkar-led slection panel. He will be available for selection in all three matches.

Also, under pressure wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has retained his place. Dhruv Jurel continues to feature in the squad as second wicketkeeper-batter.

Avesh Khan has been dropped, while Bihar-born Bengal pacer Akash Deep has been roped in as the fourth pacer in the team in the absence of Mohammed Shami. Deep impressed in India A's unoffcial Test matches against England Lions by picking 11 wickets in two games.

Senior batter and Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara continues to be ignored despite his solid run in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. He smashed a hundred against Rajasthan on Friday, February 9.

India squad for last three Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep

The third Test will begin from February 15, 2024 in Rajkot while the fourth Test kickstarts in Ranchi from February 23. The fifth and final Test of the series will be played in Dharamsala from March 7.