Team India's selection committee member Shiv Sunder Das and chief selector Ajit Agarkar during Saturday's press conference (Pic/Atul Kamble)
Team India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar, along with Selection Committee member Shiv Sunder Das, held a press conference on Saturday to announce the national squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England
During the press conference, Agarkar said that Shubman Gill has been appointed as India's new Test captain. "Last year or so we have looked at Shubman [for leadership]. We are hopeful he is the guy who is going [to take the team forward]. It is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player. We wish him all the best," said the chief selector
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been appointed as India's vice-captain. Speaking about his appointment, the 47-year-old said, "Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that's why he is Shubman's deputy"
Later, the former Team India pacer opened up on stalwart Virat Kohli's surprising Test retirement. "Virat reached out in early April and said he wants to finish...Maybe it was time for him, and when it comes from him, you need to respect that. Both of them have earned that respect. We will obviously miss him. He is a guy who has played 123 test matches and scored 30 Test centuries," he said
Agarkar also stated that it will be difficult to fill the shoes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin in Test cricket. "When guys like these retire, it will always be big holes to fill. Ashwin retired a few months back as well. Those three guys are the stalwarts of our cricket. It is always difficult. I have had conversations with both of them," said the veteran of 26 Test matches
Further, the former speedster also shared an update on Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the five-match Test series. "I don't think he will be available for all five tests as far as the physio and the doctors have told us. They will take a call on whether he will be available for three-four tests. If he is available for three-four tests, he is going to win us a few test matches...We are happy that he is a part of the squad," he added
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