Wisden writers pick their India XIs for the first Test against Sri Lanka

The series carries all-important points for the World Test Championship. While India have chosen to do away with some senior players in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma, a number of newer players have joined the setup. There will be a number of selection quandaries that the side will need to address.

Four Wisden writers pick India’s playing XI for the first Test:

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj

In what’s been a game of musical chairs for Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal open for me, with Shubman Gill occupying the No.3 slot. At No.5, Shreyas Iyer gets in: once would feel sorry for Hanuma Vihari, but Iyer looked the part in his debut Test series last year, and has been in fine touch of late.

Ravindra Jadeja at No.7 is a welcome return, and Ravichandran Ashwin, if fit, is all set to slot in at eight.

Further down is where there are more questions: Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are locked in for me, and Mohammed Siraj’s brilliance should only continue from here on, despite the presence of Umesh Yadav, who’s been a strong force at home. There’s the temptation of having an added spinner – as is the case for most pitches in India – but the surface in Mohali should allow India to field a trio of quicks.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami

My opener along with Rohit is Mayank: he has a stellar record at home, which really makes it tough to omit him. Gill, however, does not miss out and is my No. 3, with Vihari slotting in at 5. It might be unfair to Iyer, who had a fine series against New Zealand and was in decent form in the T20Is, but Vihari has been hard done by on occasions and deserves a fair run.

The rest of the XI picks itself if Ashwin is fit. Umesh has an impressive record at home while Siraj is one for the future, but it will be tough to select them with Bumrah and Shami in the mix, and only two seamers to choose.

Shubham Pandey, Wisden India social media manager

XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

It’s time for the start of a new era for the Test side. A few key players have been replaced by future stars, who are ready to take the team forward. Mayank will start with captain Rohit as KL Rahul is out due to injury.

Gill and Iyer will slot in the middle order, replacing the experienced duo of Pujara and Rahane. Rishabh Pant keeps the wickets in the side, and I will have India’s fiery fast-bowling trio of Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj. Ashwin (if fit) and Jadeja will be my two spinners in Mohali.

Divy Tripathi, Wisden India staff writer

XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Saurabh Kumar

I’d like India to open with Gill and Rohit, the young top-order batter is a player for the future and should be given as many opportunities as possible. Vihari slots in at Pujara’s place, whereas the classy Iyer bats at five. Ashwin seems to have regained his fitness, and fits in with Jadeja, Shami, and Bumrah.

Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t played a single first-class game since his return, and thus will have to sit out. Between Jayant Yadav and Saurabh Kumar, I’d field the Uttar Pradesh spinner. The left-arm spinner is expected to be a back-up to Jadeja and Axar Patel, and this would be a good opportunity to field him.