India are set to play five Test matches against Australia down under starting on November 22 as part of the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). This series will also be crucial for India to improve their chances to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in London next year. In the recent home Test series, Rohit Sharma and his men suffered a humiliating 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand, which will make it much more difficult to turn their fortunes around versus a strong opponent in Australia later this month.
If India fail to qualify for the WTC final, the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia can turn out to be last in red-ball cricket for many of the senior players of the Indian cricket team. It could lead to the team management coming up with a revamped Indian side for the next WTC cycle from 2025 to 2027.
Five New faces in Team India for WTC Cycle 2025-27
In the following listicle, we will have a look at the five new players who could be a part of the Indian team in the WTC Cycle 2025-27.
Dhruv Jurel
Wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel impressed everyone in his debut Test series for India against England in 2024. However, he couldn’t get any chance to play red-ball cricket for India since then, because he was surplus to team’s playing XI requirements. As most of the senior players are likely to bid adieu from the longest format of the game in the next year or so, Dhruv Jurel can get more chances in the Test side during the 2025-27 WTC Cycle.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Another player who could be seen playing Test cricket for India during the 2025-27 WTC cycle is Nitish Kumar Reddy. He has developed himself into a fast-bowling all-rounder, who could bowl few overs as a fast overs apart from scoring crucial runs while batting in the middle-order. Nitish Kumar can be a vital part of the Indian cricket team as a fast bowling all-rounder in WTC 2025-27 cycle, and can help the team to perform well, especially in overseas conditions.
Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar made his return to the Indian Test side after three years, during the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. The 25-year-old spin bowling all-rounder didn’t get many chances in red-ball cricket for India despite performing well in a few Test matches he played. He also impressed everyone in his comeback Test in Pune with seven-wicket haul. Now, Sundar is likely to get more chances in the Indian Test side during the 2025-27 WTC cycle.
Yash Dayal
Fast bowler Yash Dayal is another player in contention to get chances in the Indian Test team during the WTC 2025-27. The left-arm pacer was added in the fast bowling contract by BCCI for 2024-25 season, and is likely to don the Indian jersey soon. Yash Dayal also has a decent record in First-Class cricket with 84 scalps in 27 matches played so far.
Mayank Yadav
Mayank Yadav is another name in the fast bowling contracts list released by BCCI for 2024-25 season, and is likely to don the Indian Test jersey after the WTC final next year. Mayank came into the limelight due to his express pace, clocking speeds above 150 kph regularly while bowling. He has already made his T20I debut for India, and might also be on the radar of the selectors for the Test side.