As India get ready to take the field against South Africa on Boxing Day for the first of three Tests, four Wisden writers pick the XI that believe the visitors should put out.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami

Vice-captain KL Rahul partners Mayank at the top, a combination most would go with. Further down, Kohli returns to where he belongs. I’d keep Pujara, but only just about – he’s still got the grittiness so often needed on overseas tours to stall top-order collapses. Keeping Rahane was a seriously difficult call and likely the last chance for the ex vice-captain. Hopefully South Africa can inspire the Rahane of old to emerge out of his rusty shell. With no Jadeja and the kind of pitches usually on offer in South Africa, Ashwin remains the lone spinner. Bumrah is a must-have, while Siraj has the skills to do what Bhuvneshwar Kumar did in 2018, with Shami the perfect supporting hand to complete the line-up. A jaded Ishant just doesn’t fit in for me, at least outside India.

Rohit Sankar, Wisden India staff writer

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

I think this is a good exercise for any Indian fan to do to get to know the value of Ravindra Jadeja in this Test line-up. Without him, the balance of the side is difficult to maintain. I have gone with R Ashwin at No.7, a massive gamble against a strong South African attack, but the choice was between having Shreyas Iyer or Ajinkya Rahane as the extra batter or having Shardul Thakur or Ashwin as the all-rounder. I believe India’s four quicks are good enough to do the job and the fifth pacer might be surplus to requirements. Where Shardul could get in is ahead of Ishant, who has been battling form and fitness, but I’d back Ishant to continue as one of the four frontline quicks. Still, it is tempting to play Shardul given the extra depth he gives with his batting.

South Africa’s batting line-up isn’t too comfortable against spin, and Ashwin will have a role to play here. That said, it is understandable if a batting heavy group is preferred. It’s the safer choice and Shreyas Iyer’s extraordinary form against New Zealand could see him continue in the role.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami

The biggest dilemma in the batting line-up is at number five. I have preferred Hanuma Vihari for the spot: not only did he do extremely well in the last Test he played, he is a proven customer overseas, while Shreyas Iyer has had two good knocks at home. The time is up for Rahane, in my opinion. Shardul Thakur is the number seven, and is also the fourth seamer in the side, while R Ashwin at eight strengthens the batting too. Ishant misses out because Siraj is on an upward rise, and benching him for a player who hasn’t been himself of late might not be the best move.

Divy Tripathi, Wisden India staff writer

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

I would like to see Mayank Agarwal join hands with KL Rahul at the top. Hanuma Vihari’s good run with India A in South Africa should be rewarded, and he is my number five over Mumbai players Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer. With a solid option like Pant at six, I’d like to go with five bowlers. Four fast bowlers have been picked because that will ensure that all the pacers are fresh across the session, while Ashwin is a master across conditions and can wield his magic just in case the pitch has something for him.