India’s World Test Championship campaign in the 2021-2023 cycle was not as smooth as their 2019-2021 campaign. In the inaugural edition, they finished top of the table and were favourites to win the title before New Zealand outplayed them in the final. However, this time around, they had to fight it out and were in with a realistic chance of finishing outside the top two before the final month of fixtures.

A series win in Border-Gavaskar Trophy and some results going in their favour elsewhere meant that India finished second in the table and contest the final against Australia.

Over the course of the 19 matches that India played in this WTC cycle, they used 25 players. Let’s see which of them still fits in the puzzle of the India Test team for the upcoming 2023-2025 cycle.

Stick

Rohit Sharma didn’t start the WTC cycle as India’s captain, however, he finished it as the man in charge. He was also one of India’s best batters in this period, scoring 758 runs at an average of 42.11. Only one other India batter scored more runs than him at a better average in this WTC cycle – Rishabh Pant.

KS Bharat has played five Test matches, including four at home and the WTC Final in England. His batting average stands at 18.42 and he has not given much confidence with any of his knocks so far. There’s a temptation to try Ishan Kishan as the back-up wicketkeeper, however, Bharat’s low sample size might just allow him a few more chances.

Mayank Agarwal was dropped from the team after he failed to cross 35 in his last eight Test innings. However, he had a brilliant Ranji Trophy season where he was the highest run-scorer in 2022-23, and his exceptional game against spin might tempt the management to keep him around as a potential back-up, at least for home games.

Hanuma Vihari scored 215 runs in four matches in this WTC cycle. It was the lack of big runs that saw him get dropped. However, with a potential change of guard looming in the batting department, India might look back again towards Vihari.

Twist

Cheteshwar Pujara has faced questions over his place throughout his Test career. However, this time they are more pointed, given his age – Pujara will be 37 by the time of the next World Test Championship final. With several youngsters waiting in the wings and the ageing side looking for young blood, Pujara might have to be the first to go among this batch of seniors.

Umesh Yadav had an average WTC campaign. He took 22 wickets from nine games at an average of 33.72. He is 35 years of age, and his issues outside the subcontinent are well-known. It might just be the right time for India to start looking past him and developing younger fast bowlers.

Ishant Sharma has potentially played his last Test match for India already. While his defensive bowling skills are lacked by India currently, it is highly unlikely that they will turn back towards him.

Wriddhiman Saha has been effectively told that he is not in contention for the national team anymore. At 38 years of age, that is highly unlikely to change.

Jayant Yadav played two Test matches in this cycle. India need to find and develop younger backup off-spinners for Ashwin in Tests.

Suryakymar Yadav made his Test debut in this WTC. He made eight in the only innings where he batted. India have enough middle-order batters who are doing well in domestic cricket and can fill up a slot if required. Yadav is one of the best T20 batters in the world at the moment and should be allowed to do his thing without having to worry about long-form cricket.