One-nil down with four Tests to go, India find themselves in unfamiliar territory at home after their Hyderabad Test loss to England. Ahead of the Visakhapatnam Test, five Wisden India writers pick their preferred XI.

With Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul both out due to injury, there will be at least two forced changes, adding to Virat Kohli’s absence. India have called up Sarfaraz Khanand Saurabh Kumar, with Rajat Patidar being announced earlier as Kohli’s replacement. It leaves India with lots of options and a hard task balancing them all. Despite their selection dilemmas, India are favourites to win the second Test with Betway.

Here’s what the Wisden India writers picked:

Aadya Sharma

Wisden India editor

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, KS Bharat (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

It might take four spinners to counter the growing England threat, especially on a surface that is likely to be prepared to turn. Shubman Gill – despite being out of form – can hold his place for the sake of some batting continuity in an already shaken lineup. Kuldeep Yadav is a must, Sundar can come in for Jadeja to maintain balance, while Rajat Patidar can pip the other potential debutant Sarfaraz Khan for KL Rahul’s spot.

Abhishek Mukherjee

Wisden India head of content

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

Shubman Gill’s already ordinary home average of 29.33 drops to 22.29 if one removes the hundred on the flat Ahmedabad deck. His discomfort against spin has also been apparent, and perhaps it is time to replace him with Rajat Patidar at one-drop. Sarfaraz Khan will be a like-for-like replacement for KL Rahul and Washington Sundar for Ravindra Jadeja. Washington’s bowling record does not match Jadeja’s, but that can be countered by replacing Mohammed Siraj with Kuldeep Yadav.

Atri Sanfui

Wisden India staff writer

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Shubman Gill is walking on thin ice; however, he should get another chance in Vizag to prove his mettle in the format. Despite Sarfaraz Khan getting his well-deserved maiden Test call-up, he will likely have to wait for his cap as Rajat Patidar is ahead of him in the pecking order to replace the injured KL Rahul.
Washington Sundar comes in for Ravindra Jadeja, who sustained a hamstring injury. In the bowling department, India can take a leaf out of England coach Brendon McCullum’s book and spring a surprise by injecting Kuldeep Yadav as the fourth spinner instead of Mohammed Siraj.

Naman Agarwal

Wisden India staff writer

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Shubman Gill has been struggling for form and rhythm for a while. India should not be afraid of giving him a break and giving debuts to both Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan despite the lack of experience in the absence of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Washington Sundar should be a straight swap for Jadeja at No.6.
However, to compensate the loss of Jadeja the bowler, India can look to bring in Kuldeep Yadav in the place of Mohammed Siraj to make it a four-pronged spin attack. Siraj bowled 11 overs in the first Test and chances are low that the surface for the second Test will offer help for seamers.

Sarah Waris

Wisden India staff writer

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KS Bharat (wk), Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav

Even though there’s a call to drop Shubman Gill, I would be eager to give him one more game till Virat Kohli returns. Dropping him and going with two debutants in an already weak middle order is too risky, and I hope he can bring forward his experience in the second Test.

Iyer’s place is under scrutiny as well, but he is one of the best spin bashers in the side and if England play an all-spin attack, he will be key. Between Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan, I have gone with the latter. A call-up was long due and it’s time he shows his talent on the biggest stage as well. I would have wanted Mohammed Siraj in my XI – there’s no better sight than watching two fast bowlers with the new ball on day one of a Test irrespective of the conditions, but I have gone with Kuldeep Yadav to make up for the absence of Ravindra Jadeja the bowler.

The updated India squad can be found here.

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