The BCCI announced a strong 20-member squad for six Test matches in total in the United Kingdom, first the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand at Southampton in June, followed by a five-match series against England starting August 4.
Apart from those selected in the original squad and as part of the reserves, there were a few notable names missing from the team sheet, namely opening batsman Prithvi Shaw, left-arm googly bowler Kuldeep Yadav, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and most surprising of them of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
There were reasons for the first three not getting the call-up as Shaw hasn't played red-ball cricket since that Adelaide fiasco despite his smashing form in white-ball formats in the domestic cricket and the IPL, Kuldeep hasn't been in great form and didn't seem in confidence when he was taken to cleaners by the England batsmen in the first two ODIs, while Hardik Pandya hasn't been bowling fit and doesn't make the side as a pure bowler.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made a return to international cricket in March this year after a gap of more than one year due to injuries and extended recovery periods, was also left out of the squad, which was the most puzzling decision for the netizens.
Bhuvi made a sensational comeback in the T20Is and the ODIs as he kept the run-flow in check and took crucial wickets for his team. The last time, Bhuvi played red-ball cricket in England, he took 19 wickets in 7 innings during the 2014 series, being one of the stars for Team India with the ball.
Bhuvi has had his issue with injuries as he sat out for a couple of games in the IPL recently and came back but the selectors chose to not select him.
The users on Twitter were shocked not to see Bhuvneshwar Kumar's name in the squad saying a swing bowler like him in English conditions could have proved handy. Many felt bad for the pacer saying that after he made a successful comeback in India colours he should have been selected. Here are some of the reactions:
Indian Test Squad without Bhuvi is like Chicken Biryani without Chicken#WTC21 #TeamIndia #Bhuvi pic.twitter.com/qQDIIThmBh
— Roshan Singh (@CasualRoshan) May 7, 2021
#WTCFinal #EnglandTour Only if Bhuvi and Pandya were fit enough to bowl pic.twitter.com/hl5l0mjANF
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) May 7, 2021
Will forever feel sad of how we could never utilise Bhuvi in the test format, the guy's injury ruined a very promising red ball career and a potential series win in England, 2018.
— Udit (@udit_buch) May 7, 2021
Pretty surprised there's no room for Bhuvi in an enlarged squad for an England tour. Fitness issues yes, but then Ishant is not much different in recent times. I'd have added him, other than that very much expected. https://t.co/k3ypRFnGDR
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 7, 2021
Bhuvi subject to fitness should have found a place in the squad. Just feel he was needed in these conditions. Good squad otherwise. Feel bad for Kuldeep as well. In recent times he has missed out. #bcci #
— Mikkail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) May 7, 2021
Nothing unexpected. But why no Bhuvi? https://t.co/QST0HVhuyt
— Priti Manna (@priti_0612) May 7, 2021
Tea without sugar fades, In the same way India team fades without Bhuvi. pic.twitter.com/PBWt4bSV38
— Mohd Suhail (@mohdsuhail_09) May 7, 2021
Bhuvi is not in the squad for WTC final and england tour.
Fans to selectors: pic.twitter.com/5QjUKcwtrQ
— Being Singh (@definitely_7not) May 7, 2021
Expected but with bhuvi seeing his records in England it was a harsh call on him
— Anish Singh Rathore (@rajputanish_268) May 7, 2021
Indian selectors whn someone suggests Bhuvi's name for test squad..... #bhuvneshwarkumar #INDvENG #WTCFinal #WTC #BCCI pic.twitter.com/fUeVgijSnH
— Vaughan Fielding Academy (@Vaughan_Academy) May 7, 2021