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Dubey, Suthar And Brar Get Maiden Call-up To India's Squad For Afghanistan Test (Ld)

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: Leftarm spinner Manav Suthar, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey, and lanky pacer Gurnoor Brar were on Tuesday handed maiden callups to Indias squad for the oneoff Test against Afghanistan, to be played in New Chandigarh from June 610. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced the 15member squad on Tuesday, with Shubman Gill appointed captain and KL Rahul replacing Rishabh Pant as the vicecaptain. Brar, Suthar, and Dubey have been India A regulars after being standout performers in domestic cricket. Apart from Gill, Rahul, and Pant, the batting group includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel. With Ravindra Jadeja rested for the game, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will handle spin bowling duties. Ravindra Jadeja is an integral part of the team. He's rested for the Test match, and we are trying to give other players opportunities. It's for this Test that we have not picked him, said chief selector Ajit Agarkar in a virtual press conference while announcing the squad. The inclusion of Suthar and Dubey reflects the selection panels intent to expand Indias spin bowling resources in red-ball cricket. In the pace department, Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack with Jasprit Bumrah rested and supported by Prasidh Krishna and Brar. Nitish Kumar Reddy continues in the squad as an all-rounder. The game against Afghanistan is the first time India will be playing a Test since the 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home last year. The Test, though outside the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, carries significance for Indias redball assignments, considering two-match tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand await them. The inclusion of Suthar and Dubey reflects the selection panels intent to expand Indias spin bowling resources in red-ball cricket. In the pace department, Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack with Jasprit Bumrah rested and supported by Prasidh Krishna and Brar. Nitish Kumar Reddy continues in the squad as an all-rounder. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India Test squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel. Article Source: IANS