The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Nagpur tomorrow. No one is talking about the strength of India’s bench in the squad, without mentioning the form of the Indian team players as a major concern.
India’s squad selection headache is not because of its bench strength. Rather it is about selecting a player who is in form. Who to pick instead of Shreyas Iyer who plays good spin? Ishan Kishana or KS Bharatha instead of Rishabh Pant is another issue.
Suryakumar’s name is also being bandied about due to the new wave of emphasis on aggression in Test matches. Suryakumar seems to have the most chance to replace Shreyas Iyer in the team. But Rahane is really the best for that place. Because even today, while not playing Test matches, Rahane respects domestic cricket and takes it seriously and scores double centuries. But, he does not have sponsors lobby. Hence the debate Rahul? Kill? Or from the direction of Suryakumara.
Shubman Gill has recently scored 4 centuries including a double century in 7 matches. The way he picked up these hundreds should have been Shubman Gill instead of Shreyas Iyer. Because if there is a great player emerging after Kohli, it is Gill. On the other hand Suryakumar Yadav is not a flag bearer in red ball cricket. He has achieved only in white ball cricket especially in T20. But there is nothing wrong with taking a player like him who is so determined to achieve in Tests.
In any case, Suryakumar Yadav, who has the batting skills to change the game, seems to be suitable as both the teams will score low scores in the pit pitches that will be played in this series. As proof of this, he can point to his recent 95 off 107 balls in the Ranji Trophy against Saurashtra as Mumbai were bowled out for 230.
With Rohit Sharma back in the team, either Rahul or Shubman Gill will have to give way. One of the two must be killed in some other town. Otherwise one has to sit. The reason for the ban on Rahul’s inclusion in the team is that he scored a total of 57 runs against Bangladesh. He is the vice-captain of the team.
So if Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are to be included in the playing eleven, Rahul will have to sit on the sidelines even if he is vice-captain. But, Rahul Dravid is scared, Rahul need not be scared. Instead of making Rahul ugly, giving space to Suryakumar and Shubman Gill will save him in two ways.
Without Pant, Wriddhiman Saha is the best wicketkeeper for Indian pitches, but he has been slowly sidelined. So it seems that KS Bharath will come to that place. Ishan Kishan is just a hype player.
Ashwin will be there for sure as well. But there is a problem with Jadejawa, Akshar Patela, Kuldeep Yadav. If India lose the toss and Australia bats first then they need a wrist spinner like Kuldeep Yadav and a bowler who bowls a lot. This is what Ravi Shastri also says. Axar Patel is the biggest threat in Indian pitches. Jadeja returns after a long break. But given his batting form, he may be preferred.
We recently saw Kuldeep Yadav turn balls on a flat pitch in Bangladesh. So in fairness he should be given a chance. But I don’t know what they will do.
The playing eleven of the Indian team may be like this.. – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Pujara, Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav/Rahul, Srikar Bharat (wicket keeper), Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unathkat/Siraj.
