Gambhir and Rohit to determine fate of Jurel, Yash Dayal, Sarfaraz Khan as BCCI announces Rest of India squad for Irani Cup

Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and fast bowler Yash Dayal, who are currently part of the India Test squad for the home series against Bangladesh, have also been named in the 15-member Rest of India squad. However, their inclusion in the squad is contingent upon their non-involvement in the upcoming second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur, scheduled to start on Thursday (September 27). Despite not being part of the playing XI in the opening Test match last week, where India secured a commanding 280-run victory at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, both players have been recognized for their potential and given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the Rest of India squad.

With first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant having scored a century on his return to Test cricket and India likely to feature three spinners on a black-soil comprising Kanpur track, both Jurel and Dayal are expected to reach Lucknow for the Irani Cup tournament.

BCCI also added that Sarfaraz Khan, who has been retained in the Indian squad for the 2nd Test, will be released to represent the Mumbai team subject to him not being involved in the Kanpur match against Bangladesh.

Gaikwad, who 232 runs in six innings in the recently-concluded Duleep Trophy campaign, which included two half-centuries, has been named the captain of the Rest of India squad. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who smashed back-to-back centuries, in the red-ball tournament for India B, has been named his deputy. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan, who impressed the selectors with a century in the Buchi Babu tournament last month and in the Duleep Trophy, earned a call-up for the Irani Cup match.

Rest of India squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK)*, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal*, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar.

More to follow…