India has named its squad for the upcoming fourth and fifth Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for the final phase of the series against Australia, which begins with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on December 26, 2024.
The squad includes several seasoned players, such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shubman Gill, all of whom will play key roles in India’s push to win the series. There are also some notable changes, especially with the absence of some players due to injuries or retirements.
The most significant update comes with the announcement of Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from all forms of international cricket, effective after the third Test in Brisbane. As a result, the Indian team management has included Mumbai’s Tanush Kotian, a promising off-spin-bowling all-rounder, in the squad. Kotian’s inclusion is a boost to India’s spin department, which will now primarily rely on Ravindra Jadeja, alongside Kotian and Washington Sundar, all of whom can contribute with the ball and bat.
India’s batting lineup remains strong, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul leading the charge at the top of the order. Virat Kohli’s experience and ability to turn games around in the middle order will be crucial, while young Shubman Gill, who has shown promise, will be looking to contribute more consistently. Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, is also expected to play a significant role. Sarfaraz Khan and Rinku Singh, two prolific performers in domestic cricket, have been included to bolster the middle order, providing depth and flexibility.
The fast-bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, both of whom have been in excellent form throughout the series. The absence of Shami means that Bumrah and Siraj will carry the majority of the workload with the ball, while Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna will provide the much-needed backup. These young pacers will need to step up and support their senior bowlers in what promises to be an intense series finale.
The inclusion of Tanush Kotian as a backup spinner and the continued faith in Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round abilities strengthen India’s spin options for the final Tests. Washington Sundar, known for his adaptability, is another option, adding balance to the squad.