Virat Kohli has pulled out of India’s first two Tests against England citing personal reasons, the BCCI said on Monday, adding that a replacement for Kohli would be named soon.
Pujara last played for India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final last year, but started this year’s Ranji Trophy with an unbeaten double-century against Jharkhand before hitting three scores in the forties and a half-century in his next two games.
Patidar and Sarfaraz both played and impressed for India A against the touring England Lions. Patidar blazed centuries in both the tour game against them and the first unofficial Test, while Sarfaraz managed half-centuries in both games, including 96 in the tour game.
Easwaran had replaced the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad as India’s reserve opener for the Tests in South Africa and is currently captaining India A.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are the other two middle-order batting options in India’s squad, while KL Rahul is also available to play as a pure batter – Rahul, KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel are the contenders for the wicketkeeper’s spot.
Kohli became the second player in as many days to opt out of part or all of the series, after Harry Brook withdrew from the entire tour on Sunday, also because of personal reasons. It is, however, understood that he can rejoin the England touring party on a later date.
The five-match series against England will begin in Hyderabad on January 25 and will be part of the WTC. India are currently second on the WTC points table, behind defending champions Australia.