Sun Jan 12 09:20:00 UTC 2025: ## India Snubs Pant, Gill, and Jaiswal for England T20 Series; Shami Returns
**Mumbai, India** – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee announced a surprising India squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England. Notable omissions include star batsmen Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while veteran pacer Mohammed Shami makes a welcome return after a 14-month absence. Dhruv Jurel has been included as the backup wicketkeeper.
While Sanju Samson retains his spot as the primary wicketkeeper, the exclusion of Pant – India’s recent first-choice keeper across formats – signals a shift in the team’s hierarchy. Gill, who recently captained India in a T20I series, was also surprisingly left out. The selectors further opted for Axar Patel as the new vice-captain, overlooking Gill’s recent leadership role.
According to the Times of India, the absence of Pant, Gill, and Jaiswal is due to rest following their participation in the demanding Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The selectors aim to ensure the trio are fully recovered for the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has also been rested for workload management, while Mayank Yadav remains sidelined due to a back injury. The decision marks a significant shake-up in India’s T20I squad, setting the stage for a potentially exciting series against England.
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