3 Indian players who might miss out on selection for next Test series after IND vs ENG 2025

India clinched a dramatic win by just six runs in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval on Monday, August 4. The match went down to the wire with England needing only seven runs and one wicket in hand.

Gus Atkinson went for an aggressive shot on a full delivery from Mohammed Siraj but missed, resulting in his off stump being rattled and handing India a dramatic victory. With this, the five-match Test series ended in a 2-2 draw.

England had claimed victories at Headingley and Lord’s, while India bounced back strongly to win at Edgbaston and The Oval. The fourth Test, held at Old Trafford in Manchester, ended in a stalemate, setting up a tense and unforgettable series finale.

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The Warriors for India in This Series:

India witnessed standout performances from multiple players throughout the series, with captain Shubman Gill setting the tone. He led the batting charts for India, amassing 754 runs and earning the Player of the Series title for his consistent brilliance.

Mohammed Siraj led the bowling charts with 23 wickets and earned the Player of the Match award for his impactful performance in the final Test at The Oval.

KL Rahul (532 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (516 runs) were also among the top five scorers, playing crucial roles with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna both claimed 14 wickets each, making vital contributions with the ball across key moments in the series.

Players Who Can be Dropped in the Upcoming Test Series:

While several players delivered strong performances, a few couldn’t make much of an impact during the series. As India prepares for their upcoming home Test series against the West Indies in October, following the Asia Cup in September, some names might be left out. Here's a look at three players who could be dropped for the West Indies Tests.

• Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur, who was recalled for the England Test series, may find himself out of contention for the upcoming West Indies tour. Featuring in just two matches — at Leeds and Old Trafford — Thakur managed only two wickets across three innings, recording figures of 0-38, 2-51, and 0-55, which didn’t quite meet expectations.

Although he contributed a handy 45 runs with the bat, it might not be enough to secure his place. He may need to prove his form and fitness once again through consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, to earn another shot at the national Test squad.

• Karun Nair

Karun Nair is expected to be left out of the upcoming home series against the West Indies. With promising middle-order players like Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan waiting to take advantage of home conditions, Nair may have to return to the Ranji Trophy and perform well to get another chance in the national team.

His future in the Indian Test team looks uncertain unless the selectors opt to give him more chances. In the recent England series, he managed 205 runs across eight innings, with his top score being 57 in the final Test.

Although Nair still holds a solid Test average of 41.35, it is mainly due to his unbeaten 303 against England in his debut series. With only one century and one fifty in 15 innings, his recent performances haven't been convincing. Adding to his woes, reports suggest he may have suffered a broken index finger, which could keep him out temporarily.

• Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj made his Test debut during the fourth match of the India-England series, stepping in for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Initially, Arshdeep Singh was the preferred replacement, but he suffered an injury while training, giving Anshul his maiden opportunity.

However, Anshul's debut didn’t make a strong impact. He was dismissed for a duck and managed just one wicket while conceding 89 runs. With India set to play their next Test series at home, conditions may favour other all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who bring more experience. Anshul will need to sharpen his skills to regain a spot in the squad or the playing XI.