With the end of the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle looming for India, what is the status of their squad members heading into the next one?
Stick
Yashasvi Jaiswal is India's best opener in Test cricket right now, and certainly has a claim to being the side's best batter at present. At this point in his career, there's no question of dropping him.
Shubman Gill hasn't always had a smooth ride in Indian colours, but 2024 has been kinder to him. His unbeaten half-century against England in Ranchi remains fresh in the memory, and he has had a century against Bangladesh and a 90 against New Zealand to back it up. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be significant for him, though.
Jasprit Bumrah is possibly the world's best bowler. He will be left out here and there to give him a rest, but there's no further explanation required. India need to hang on to him like gold dust.
Axar Patel has proven to be an excellent back-up to Ravindra Jadeja, holding his own with bat and ball in Test cricket. It may not be long before he becomes the first-choice all-rounder for India.
Kuldeep Yadav remains an excellent red-ball bowler, his lack of opportunities notwithstanding. There's no guarantee that appearances will be easier to come by down the line, but the management undoubtedly needs to keep hold of him.
Rishabh Pant returned from his knee injury earlier this year, and it's like he never left. He is India's first-choice wicketkeeper and one of their most important batters. As long as he is fit and available, there is no question over his spot.
Mohammed Siraj has had a tough time of things lately, and has a general tendency to blow hot and cold. That being said, he is still a Test-match quality seam bowler, and is worth persisting with for the forseeable future.
Sarfaraz Khan has only just broken into the Test setup, and has played a few quality innings so far. Between that and his stellar domestic record, he needs to be given more chances to cement a spot in the lineup.
Akash Deep has shown great promise in his limited career so far. If he can impress in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it might not be long until he overtakes Siraj as India's clear-cut No.2 pacer.
Dhruv Jurel deputised admirably with both bat and gloves against England, and was integral to India's victory in Ranchi. He may have done enough to earn a spot as a batter alone, but either way needs to be kept around the setup.
Prasidh Krishna had some forgettable outings in South Africa, but is still a prospect India can look to expose a bit more in Test cricket (fitness permitting). He's far from a sure shot in a Test lineup, but is worth persisting with.
Washington Sundar made a stellar comeback to Test cricket against New Zealand, and looks a far more complete cricketer than he did a few years ago. If all goes well, he should be the first name on India's succession plan for R Ashwin.
Devdutt Padikkal scored a fifty on Test debut, and has recently impressed for India A in Australia. India lose nothing by keeping him in and around the setup, to give him opportunities whenever possible.
