Jasprit Bumrah is expected to make a comeback for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16 after well-deserved break following India’s T20 World Cup victory, but the pace spearhead could continue to be on rest for the two Tests against Bangladesh in September. It is understood that the Indian team management and selectors are looking to bring in more variations into the pace attack and hence a left-arm seam and swing bowler could be added to the bouquet of pacers who are vying for a Test cap.

In terms of exposure and experience, the selectors have two choices in Arshdeep Singh, who is a regular in T20 format and the injury prone and slightly erratic Khaleel Ahmed, who is rated very highly in some circles.

“In case of Bumrah, he knows his body the best and it will be up to him if he wants to play in the Tests against Bangladesh. The team management and selectors are very clear that India needs a 120 per cent fit Jasprit Bumrah for all five Tests against Australia Down Under. Before that, there is New Zealand in India, where he will probably play and get ready for the sterner tests,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

In case of Arshdeep, his initiation into red ball cricket was in fact in Rahul Dravid‘s plans as well and accordingly he was sent to Kent last year to play some County games.

Khaleel is a much improved bowler but has a tendency to be erratic. The other choice for a left-arm seamer is Yash Dayal, but he is behind Khaleel and Arshdeep in this race.

Ajay Ratra in line to become North Zone national selector

It is understood that Salil Ankola’s term has finally ended and he has been intimated that the selection meeting for tour of Sri Lanka was his last.

Former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra, who once scored a Test hundred in the West Indies, is favourite to take up the fifth slot which by convention goes to a North Zone candidate.

The position became vacant after former chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma got the boot for his loose talk during a sting operation of a private channel.

Ratra, along with Ajay Mehra, Shakti Singh and RS Sodhi have been interviewed by CAC for the post.

The 42-year-old Ratra, who is also among the pool of coaches in the NCA, is currently in Australia as a part of the support staff of India A women’s team that is on a limited-overs tour.

Once Ratra is back, it is expected that his appointment will be formally confirmed.

India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Live Updates

India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I LIVE Streaming: When and where to watch© AFP

India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming 2nd T20I: When And Where To Watch Match© AFP

The Indian cricket team had an unforgettable outing in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the event that took place in USA and Barbados, the Rohit Sharma-led side bagged the trophy, their first after 17 years. While the team shone in all fronts, their bowling certainly took the centre stage. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has heaped praises on Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh, who was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament along with Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi. Both the players picked 17 wickets each.

“All the bowlers in India’s attack played their role (in the T20 World Cup victory), some got hit but most of them delivered good performances with their tight bowling and cleverness on flat tracks that test your bowling quality, credibility and credentials. On that note, the name that first comes up is that of Arshdeep Singh,” Raja said on his YouTube channel ‘Rameez Speaks‘.

Bumrah, who picked 15 wickets in the event and make life really tough for the opposition batters, bagged the Player of the Tournament award for his impactful performance.

Raja pointed out that Arshdeep is not getting pressurised by the presence of Bumrah and the young pacer is rather learning from him.

“Bumrah ke hote hue, ye craft seekh bhi rahe hain, magar unse dab nahi rahe hain (With Bumrah there, Arshdeep is learning from him and not feeling the pressure because of Bumrah’s presence). It’s very important for him to back himself and prove that he is at par with Bumrah, if not better than him. So to challenge himself that way is very important for Arshdeep’s growth, because if he will compete with the world’s best bowler, then his own bowling will touch the sky,” said the former Pakistan captain.

Arshdeep bowled at an economy of 7.16 in 2024 T20 World Cup. His best figures were 4 for 9.

“He comes on to bowl in do-or-die situations (death overs), like if he doesn’t deliver, the team will lose and he might be out of the squad. But he bowls cleverly and to his field, when to bowl length balls, slower balls, can bowl the slower bouncer as well. So he offers a lot of advantage to his team,” said Raja.

“The important thing about Indian circuit is that we are witnessing improvement in skill level every six months, not that they fall apart or the performance dips. The skill level is going up and there is a willingness to learn. That’s an important element you see in Arshdeep’s bowling,” he added.

Virat Kohli and Arshdeep Singh danced together after India’s win© X (Twitter)

India are all set to take on England in the 2nd Semi-Final on June 27 at the Providence Stadium, in Guyana . Considering their recent form, India are slight favourites against England while the English will fancy their chances as well. Ahead of this mouth-watering contest, let’s have a look at India’s predicted XI against England.

Predicted XI

Rohit Sharma (c)

Skipper Rohit Sharma is currently the highest run-scorer for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The explosive top-order batter has smashed 191 runs in six innings so far this season at an impressive strike rate of 159.16.

Furthermore, Rohit has had a decent record against England in T20 internationals. He has amassed 410 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 138.98 against the Englishmen and would like to add more to that tally on Thursday.

Virat Kohli

Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, has been through a lean patch in the ongoing tournament. He has scored 66 runs in six innings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and will be hoping to find top gear in the all-important knockout matches that are upcoming.

He has normally had an upper hand batting against England. Kohli has smashed 639 runs in 20 innings against them averaging at 39.93 and a strike rate of 135.66. Additionally, he has played a T20I at the Providence Stadium, scoring a 45-ball 59 and would be raring to go big in the Semi-Final game.

Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper)

Swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, has been a bright spark in this edition of the World Cup with 167 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 132.53. Surprisingly, Pant is yet to score a fifty in this tournament.

Coming back from a year-long injury, Pant had a 446-run IPL 2024 campaign for Delhi Capitals, which made him the first-choice wicketkeeper in India’s starting XI for the T20 World Cup 2024.

The southpaw is currently performing well at No.3 and could be an X-factor against England.

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav is also enjoying decent form with the bat as the hard hitter has scored 149 runs in six innings so far at a strike rate of 139.25.

After back-to-back fifties against the USA and Afghanistan, respectively, Suryakumar played an important 31-run cameo against Australia, which kept the run rate healthy for India.

The No.1 T20I batter in the world has smashed 274 runs against England in six innings at a strike rate of 191.60 and will be looking forward to scoring big against them.

Shivam Dube

“If the pitch suits spinners, Dube will be a weapon,” former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said ahead of the England clash. “He can change the game with just two or three big hits,” he added.

Shivam Dube’s ability to play spin coupled with his IPL 2024 campaign, where he smashed 396 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 162.29 is what has seen him in the playing XI for India.

The hard-hitting all-rounder struggled in the USA leg of the tournament but has managed to score 106 runs in six matches. He could prove effective against England’s spinners on Thursday.

Hardik Pandya

After all the chaos around his IPL 2024 stint with Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya has enjoyed a solid T20 World Cup with bat and ball.

The star all-rounder has made a strong comeback, scoring 116 runs in four innings at an impressive strike rate of 145 and picking eight wickets with the ball. His presence will truly play a vital role in India’s starting XI against England.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja’s poor form in the T20 World Cup could be one of the biggest concerns for India’s think tank ahead of the semi-final. However, his all-round capabilities, fielding ability and vast experience on the international circuit cannot be overlooked.

The southpaw has only managed 16 runs in three innings and taken one scalp in the tournament so far. Needless to say, Jadeja will be looking to produce a top-quality display against England.

Axar Patel

Bowling all-rounder Axar Patel’s contributions to India’s success have been crucial in the T20 World Cup, scoring 35 runs in three innings and picking up five wickets.

Axar also had a decent IPL 2024 campaign, taking 11 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.65 for Delhi Capitals. The left-arm spinner alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja could be lethal against English batters.

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has carried his IPL 2024 success to the T20 World Cup by picking up seven wickets in just three matches. Additionally, with 66 wickets in 38 T20Is, Kuldeep has become an integral part of India’s spin-bowling unit of late.

He scalped the crucial wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell in his last appearance against Australia in the tournament and can be expected to be amongst the wickets again when he takes on England.

Jasprit Bumrah

India pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, has been on a dream run with the ball ever since he returned from his injury. He was ultimately at his best in the IPL 2024 as well, picking up 20 wickets for Mumbai Indians.

With an excellent economy rate of 4.08 and taking 11 scalps in six matches, Bumrah is currently enjoying his best T20 World Cup campaign. He has also led India’s pace battery in this tournament and is likely to be among the wickets when he faces England batters in Guyana.

Arshdeep Singh

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the regular source of wickets for India, especially in the early and closing stages of an innings.

With an economy of 7.41 and 15 wickets, Arshdeep is currently one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament and will be a player to watch out for against England.

IND vs ENG Live: Squads –

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w/c), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Mark Wood, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Tom Hartley