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India will debate four points when choosing their
lineup ahead of their first Test match in five months against South Africa at
Centurion. These are their choices and the benefits associated with them.
India’s Top order
India had attempted this once before, but this time
they are playing a Test match without Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane in
their starting XI for the first time in a year and the first time away from
home since January 2012. Even if the shift away from those two appears to be
complete, certain questions remain about specific jobs, especially No. 3.
In 10 of his 18 Test matches thus far, Shubman Gill
has begun with Rohit Sharma. He fell to No. 3 in the West Indies earlier this
year when Yashasvi Jaiswal opened with Rohit. In his first three Test innings,
Jaiswal scored 171, 57, and 38 runs. Gill made 6, 10, and 29* in the same two
Tests.
This puts Gill in a precarious situation. After 18
Test matches, his average is 32.20, and both of his hundreds have come in
flat-track matches—against Australia in Ahmedabad in a rare home draw, and
against Bangladesh in Chattogram. KL Rahul, who batted brilliantly during the
previous tour of South Africa, can slot in well at No. 3, but if he decides to
take the gloves off of keeping, he won’t have much time to heal. Additionally,
India will be left with half the batsman if Rahul does not stay.
India’s keeper dilemma
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja are
locks for the middle order, presuming that he returns to the team before the
first Test, as expected, after leaving for personal reasons. There is only one
position still unclaimed, and that is the wicketkeeper’s. Lately, India has
favoured selecting the superior batter among the options at its disposal. Rahul
will only be starting his second first-class match as the designated
wicketkeeper of his career if they stick to that attitude. It would only be fair
if he did not get called up to bat in the top order. Depending on who they
select as number three, Gill or Rahul may have to make way if India chooses to
go with KS Bharat.
The bowling all-rounder and pace battery
When India visits seam-friendly nations, the No. 8
spot has long been a source of contention, with Shardul Thakur frequently
chosen over Test great R Ashwin. Given that rain is predicted for the first two
days of the first Test, which in Centurion means more assistance for the seam
and less time for the surface to deteriorate, it looks to be the more likely
option.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, who is playing in
his first Test since July 2022, are sure starters assuming no fitness concerns.
Due to Mohammed Shami’s injury, Mukesh Kumar, who made his West Indies debut
earlier this year, and Prasidh Krishna, who is yet to be capped, will likely be
the third seamer selected.
Although Mukesh does not move as quickly as Shami, he
possesses the same upright seam and skiddy accuracy. Prasidh provides the
height and hitting ability of Ishant Sharma, something that India seemed to be
lacking on their previous tour to South Africa.
Thakur might be a viable possibility for the third
quick, but that would require entering with two spinners.