The Indian team for the Bangladesh series has been announced. There are some familiar faces and rather some surprises. Some of them have not played a proper 5-day format for awhile and they are back in the team. In the case of Rohit and Kohli, it is understandable but what about Jadeja? Why is he not involved in the Duleep Trophy? Is he injured? Atleast I do not recall reading any news item about his injury. If he has been given a break, why has he been? I for one would have wanted both Rohit and Kohli to have played in the Duleep Trophy but it wasn’t to be. In the case of Shami, who is still recovering from the ankle surgery, one can only hope that he is fit for the Australian series.
Shami is a vital cog in the bowling attack. Ofcourse, his performances, he averages just above 3.5 wickets per Test but at a healthy average of 27. Seldom has he run through sides but has provided vital breakthroughs every now and then. Far too often, has he beaten the bat. A genuine delivery just misses the outside of the bat. This has been his perennial problem. Ofcourse, being a primary bowler, much more is expected from him but at almost 35, his good days are more or less behind him. He hardly has a year or two at the highest level during which time, he must make every day count.
The Batsmen
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan & Ravindra Jadeja
The Bowlers
Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah and Yash Dayal.
Wicket Keepers
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel.
On the face of it, this is the side that was most expected. Almost everyone walks into the team by virtue of their performances. The inclusion of Rishabh Pant, though it is a given, is heartening. With the Australian tour coming up, the Australians will be concerned about what Pant can do towards the end of the year. It is better for Pant to get that red-ball feeling before he steps onto the Perth turf. Five Tests before that first Test at Perth will, hopefully, get him into his best batting. India definitely need his batting in Test cricket. For someone who wanted to play T20 only, he has metamorphosed into a brilliant Test batsman. His exploits in the Test arena is legendary. He has accomplished tasks that has eluded the likes of Rohit and Kohli.
Of winning Test matches in the final innings. He went one step further and won the series as well. India needs that Pant once again to step into the arena. These five Tests will be a good stepping stone for Pant.
The players who are in the team for experience
As for Yash Dayal, Akash Deep and Dhruv Jurel, I do not see them playing in any of the Tests unless someone is injured or Bumrah is rested. It has been more than 2 months since Bumrah played his last game and hence, it will be better for him to play in all the 5 Tests. At the most, he could be rested from the final Test against New Zealand. India needs him in good rhythm and form going into Australia. The last time around, Bumrah was injured for a couple of Tests and hence missed out on the series win. This time, probably his last tour of Australia, he will have to ensure that his best is reserved for Australia and help another series win.
The top 5 batsmen is decided already with Sarfaraz Khan expected to remain in the sideline. Gill had a decent series against England and he must continue from there if he does not want to be eclipsed by Sarfaraz. He is a good batsmen who has not fulfilled his talent. Gill himself has acknowledged in one of the interview that he hasn’t met his own expectations.
“It is a bit tough (living up to his own expectations). When people from outside talk about all those things, it did not make much difference to me. But the expectations that I kept on myself made me a bit disappointed. You will definitely have some expectations on you as to how you want to play for the team, the country. But I don’t think that has changed my mindset. I still have the same set of expectations for myself.”
Lack of red-ball cricket
The last time Bangladesh toured India, Eden Gardens provided a pace friendly pitch. The Indian fast bowlers were all over Bangladesh in that game. I do not think that the pitches at Chennai and at Kanpur will offer anything to the pace bowlers. Hence, the Indian spinners, led by Ashwin will have to do the bulk of the bowling. The only thing to note will be whether India will go in with 2 fast bowlers or just the one and allow all the 4 spinners to play.
Having said that, with the exception of Axar Patel, albeit with the bat, none of the other have made the Duleep Trophy count though Pant had a reasonable outing. They are all back after a much deserved break and hence a little bit of rustiness is expected. Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja did not even participate in the event. They will jump into Test cricket without a proper game though with their experience and the ability, they are expected to sail through. Kohli especially is in a kind of rut. His white-ball numbers are excellent but red-ball, he is not the same Kohli of old.
Wrapping up the Indian team for Bangladesh
This is a good enough side but India cannot afford to be complacent against Bangladesh who confidence is at an all-time high.