The upcoming series against West Indies presents an opportunity for India to secure victories across all three formats. As fans eagerly await the official announcement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), let’s take a glimpse into India’s predicted Test squad for the upcoming series.
Rohit Sharma: Leading the Charge
There is no doubt that Rohit Sharma will continue to hold his place as the captain of the Test team. However, a decision on his captaincy might be deferred until after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shubman Gill, a promising young talent, is an automatic selection and could potentially be appointed as the vice-captain of the team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Eyeing a Breakthrough
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was included as a backup player for the WTC final, might find himself included in the squad. The left-handed batsman has showcased his red-ball cricket skills and is expected to add depth to India’s batting lineup.
Sarfaraz Khan: A Maiden Call-Up:
The selection committee might choose to revamp the squad for the upcoming WTC cycle, and one player who could benefit from this shake-up is Sarfaraz Khan. He is anticipated to earn his maiden call-up to the Indian Test team, potentially replacing Cheteshwar Pujara. Sarfaraz’s domestic cricket performances have caught the attention of selectors, making him a strong contender for a spot in the squad.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane: Experienced Leaders:
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, the pillars of Indian cricket, are expected to retain their spots in the Test squad. Rahane’s gritty half-century in the WTC final solidified his position in the team.
The All-Rounders:
R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur will don the all-rounder role for India. After surprisingly being benched for the WTC final, Ashwin is set to make a comeback to the playing XI. Axar Patel, however, might have to wait for his opportunity.
Wicketkeepers:
KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan will be the two wicketkeepers in the squad. Bharat’s performance behind the stumps was commendable, although he faced struggles with the bat. On the other hand, Kishan’s batting prowess will be tested in the challenging realm of Test cricket, while his wicketkeeping skills will be under scrutiny.
Pace Attack:
The selection committee is likely to move on from Umesh Yadav, potentially making way for Mukesh Kumar in the squad. The rest of the pace attack, consisting of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Jaydev Unadkat, is expected to remain unchanged, providing the team with a well-rounded bowling arsenal.
Predicted Indian Test Squad For West Indies Tour
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jaydev Unadkat