The first batch of India’s contingent — consisting of help employees members, help bowlers and a few of the squad members — leaves for England early on Tuesday to start preparations for the World Test Championship ultimate versus Australia, to be performed on the Oval in London from June 7.
The Hindu understands that head coach Rahul Dravid and members of the teaching and help employees — rejuvenated after a two-month break — will board a flight to London together with just a few members of the squad, a reserve pacer and three internet bowlers.
Promising pacer Mukesh Kumar, who’s among the many reserves, will journey as half of the first batch. He will likely be joined by three extra pacers — Aniket Choudhary, Akash Deep and Yarra Prithviraj — who’ve been chosen as internet bowlers by the nationwide choice panel in session with the group administration.
The squad members who will journey on Tuesday are from the six franchises whose Indian Premier League marketing campaign ended within the league stage. The Hindu may affirm that Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav are travelling as half of the first batch, with Umesh having been cleared by the National Cricket Academy.
While R. Ashwin is predicted to affix the squad mid-week, Virat Kohli’s journey plans couldn’t be ascertained. Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat, recovering after hurting his ankle throughout the IPL, will journey later within the week.
Cheteshwar Pujara, taking part within the County Championship, will be a part of the preparations later this week. The remaining members of the 15-member squad, together with reserves Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad, are anticipated to leave for London on May 29, the evening after the IPL ultimate.
