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Five selection debates for India ahead of the England Test series

Five Selection Debates For India Ahead Of The England Test Series
by Wisden Staff 4 minute read

Sarah Waris looks at five questions for India to answer over the make-up of their Test XI for the England series.

India’s defeat to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final didn’t just deny them the chance to become the first team to lift a new global trophy. It also made some question the balance and make-up of India’s XI again. We take a look at a few selection headaches that could bother India ahead of their five-match series against England.

Jadeja or Ashwin, or both?

Ravindra Jadeja is undoubtedly one of the best all-rounders in world cricket currently — with Indian fans even comparing him to Ben Stokes, Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World two years running. However, if the final is anything to go by, it seems it is Ravichandran Ashwin who has emerged as Virat Kohli’s trusted man, with the ball at least. The off-spinner bowled a total of 25 overs in the game, while Jadeja sent down just 15.2 overs — mostly whenever the pacers needed a break. Southampton, a venue that traditionally aids slower bowlers, did not have much spin on offer, which only makes Ashwin’s four wickets in the game, a remarkable feat.

The Tamil Nadu player also played a crucial cameo in the first innings with the bat. Often regarded as the second spinner overseas, India might need to re-evaluate their hierarchy if conditions force them to play with one spinner.

Vihari over Rahane?

Though Rahane did score 49 in the first innings, he was dismissed 15 in the second innings at a time when India needed him to raise his game and anchor the innings alongside Rishabh Pant. The team had lost Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli with the span of two overs, and Rahane, being the senior player, couldn’t take India forward. Though he played important knocks through the World Test Championship and ended as India’s leading run-scorer, the lack of big scores is an issue that has come under focus.

With Hanuma Vihari in the ranks, who has been churning out runs in dire situations, India might be tempted to replace him with Rahane at number five. Vihari has played all of his games overseas and is known for the ‘tough runs’ that he makes. Besides scoring 93 and 111 against West Indies at the start of the WTC, Vihari also scored a fine 55 off just 70 deliveries at Christchurch last year in his team’s total of 242, while his grit was on display at Sydney earlier this year. Or else, if conditions do call for just one spinner, Vihari could take Jadeja or Ashwin’s place in the XI.

A seaming all-rounder?

If only one of Jadeja or Ashwin makes the cut in the XI, India’s batting or bowling depth could be hampered. Considering India’s woes with the tail, having four specialist quicks from Nos.8-11 is a move that Kohli and Co. are unlikely to go in with. If they play just one spinner, India may well field Shardul Thakur, who is the only pacer capable of scoring runs lower down the order. They might play an extra batsman in Vihari as well, pushing Pant down to seven, but Kohli has generally shied away from fielding four bowlers in a Test match, which might mean that Thakur could get a game sooner than later.

Thakur also impressed in that unforgettable win at the Gabba, and has a knack for important contributions in white-ball cricket. However, his inexperience of playing at the highest level and in English conditions could count against him.

Need for a swing bowler?

India have travelled with six pacers in their 20-member squad but arguably only Shardul can be termed a genuine swing bowler. In England, where there is plenty of swing for the bowlers, Shardul could be a threat, but his inexperience could mean the side might miss the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has a terrific record in England. The latter was not picked for the series due to injury concerns.

Shardul also adds batting depth, and it might not be a surprise if he takes the field in the first Test itself, from August 4.

Back the trio of Shami-Bumrah-Ishant or get in Siraj?

India saw bursts of great spells from the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Sharma in the final, but their overall impact paled in comparison to the Kiwi pacers. It could throw up a selection dilemma — persist with the experienced bowlers or get in Mohammad Siraj, whose youthful exuberance could give the attack a fresher look? Ishant’s experience works in his favour, while Shami’s performance in the final would have silenced critics. Bumrah, who failed to impress in the match against New Zealand, however, has been India’s premier pacer but Siraj, with his ability to pick up wickets with both the old and new ball is a strong candidate to make the XI at some point.

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