Picture Credit: BCCI
After thrashing Sri Lanka 3-0 in T20Is, the Rohit Sharma-led team shifts its focus to red-ball cricket. Rohit will be captaining the Test side for the very first time and all eyes will be on his decisions. India under Rohit is undergoing a transition phase as it will be the first time the team will take the field without either of their Test stalwarts Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara for a decade almost. This poses a big headache for the new captain to build a team for the future.
The selection committee has identified Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Hanum Vihari as potential replacements. But it will not be easy for the captain to fit these three in the XI. Gill and Vihari have entered the Test arena before Iyer so they may get a go-ahead in the playing XI. Thus, SportsTiger looks at the probable playing XI for the 1st Test against Sri Lanka.
India Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Kuldeep Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has been a revelation as an opener in Tests. He was too good against England in England. Rohit, unfortunately, missed the South Africa series but since now he is back, the captain is expected to take the top spot in the XI.
2. Mayank Agarwal
The second opening spot will be taken by Mayank Agarwal who has been India's first-choice opener in home conditions. In ten innings of seven Tests, Agarwal has amassed 839 runs with the help of four centuries and a century. However, this will be the first time he will be playing against Sri Lanka.
3. Shubman Gill
With Cheteshwar Pujara gone, Shubman Gill is preferably the No. 3 for India in Test cricket from here on. He has batted only once at this position in international cricket and ended with 47 (75). However, as a former selector has claimed, Gill was brought in to play in the middle order and so he will as India already have too many options for the opening position.
4. Virat Kohli
The former skipper is likely to take his usual spot in the XI. With changes on either side of his batting position, Kohli will have to play more cautiously from now on. He is still India's most prized wicket.
5. Rishabh Pant
The team management is looking to give more match time to Rishabh Pant as he is being groomed as a future captain. Usually, Pant ends up playing with the tail and has to take the attack to the opposition. But if he plays at five, he will have ample time to set his eyes in and then start attacking if required.
6. Hanuma Vihari
With Shubman, Virat, and Pant at No. 3, 4, and 5, Hanuma Vihari will be given preference as Ajinkya Rahane's replacement but will have to bat a position lower. Vihari has batted most times at six so he will also be comfortable at that position. He averages 45.91 n nine games at No. 6. He is more like Pujara in his playing style and with three busy batters at the top, he will play the second fiddle.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Returning from injury, Jadeja will take back his spot in the XI. The all-rounder will play a big role from here and will complement the other batters really well.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
Rohit Sharma will prefer two spinners and R Ashwin is always number one in Indian conditions. Plus, his improved batting will provide depth and allow batters at the top to play freely.
9. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami is also expected to make the cut and find a place in the XI. He will be one of three seamers India will play against Sri Lanka in the 1st Test.
10. Jasprit Bumrah
The new vice-captain of the team is all set to return to red-ball action against Sri Lanka. He takes his usual spot in the XI.
11. Mohammed Siraj
Siraj has improved his game a lot. He has got chances in overseas games and performed. Now, he will be itching to bowl in home conditions. Although he has played three games in India, he will look for more as the best of Siraj is yet to come.
SportsTiger's Probable Playing XI for 1st Test against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
