This is clearly one of the most important selection meetings for the Ajit Agarkar led selection committee. For the last decade, the first two names on the team list have been that of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Now no more. Add the fact that you don’t have a Ravichandran Ashwin either. Also, Jasprit Bumrah is not likely to play more than three matches of the five. In such circumstances the selectors have the task of picking a team that will compete in England and help India make a reasonable start to the new WTC cycle.
First, it is Shubman Gill who will captain. While many will say he isn’t the best overseas Test batter, this is a selection based more on potential than anything else. Yes Gill hasn’t scored a 50 in Sena conditions in four years but then there has never been any doubt over his potential. He looks pleasing to the eye and will have to work on his temperament. Captaincy could in fact do the job for Gill and make him the player we all want him to be.
Who will be his deputy is a key question? While Rishabh Pant is the likely choice, it could also be KL Rahul for all his experience and potential.
Coming to the batting, the first four positions are now certain. While it will be Rahul and Jaiswal to open, it has to be Sai Sudarshan at number 3. Sudarhan has done extremely well in the IPL and has the necessary technique and confidence to do well in England. That he will be playing the second India A game is also something that should help him. At number 4 will come Shubman Gill. This could be a major development and help Gill become a better Test batter. Sachin, Virat and now Gill, India is clearly investing in the new skipper. At 5 it will be Rishabh Pant and thereafter it will be Ravindra Jadeja at six.
Seven and eight are key spots and Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are the likely players to occupy them. While Reddy batted superbly in Australia, he did not bowl much and that’s something India will want to see him do. Thakur had a fantastic domestic season and has earned a call up to the A team. Could he now make it back to the main team will be a subject of interest.
Who will be India’s first choice spinner? Will we see a return of Kuldeep Yadav? Chances are we will and as Michael Clarke has already said, “Kuldeep can be India’s X factor in England. He is a match winner and is currently at the top of his game. He could well be the difference in England in conditions which help him.”
Among the fast bowlers, Bumrah and Siraj pick themselves. Bumrah, it is expected, will play a telling role in at least three games and India will want their best player to win them at least one based on individual brilliance. He had done so at Perth and could yet again do the job in Leeds. Siraj has looked in better rhythm recently and will be a key bowler in England.
The question is Shami. Should he or should he not? Is he ready for the grind of red ball cricket? Is his body ready to take the load of 16-18 overs a day and can he do that consistently? These are questions that might determine his inclusion.
Other bowlers who will be discussed are Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna with at least two of them making the cut.
In sum, it will be a fascinating selection meeting and will decide the future trajectory of Indian cricket going forward.
MC pick of 16
Shubman Gill captain, Rishabh Pant/KL Rahul- VC, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair/Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj/Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel- reserve WC.
Boria Majumdar is an eminent sports historian, journalist, and writer. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Revsportz.
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