India are all set to start off their home season with the two-match Test series against West Indies. The first of the two Test matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and India will be looking to dominate in the home series.
The conditions are expected to assist spinners like they normally do in India. However, the men in Blue lost the last home series against New Zealand and with change in arsenal now, they would be looking to start afresh. So, let's now see what combination India would prefer in the opening Test against West Indies.
Yashasvi Jaiswal-KL Rahul back together as openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were brilliant as openers in England, and both of them scored two centuries in that series which played a big role in India's success. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been India's most successful Test batter since his Test debut and has constantly proven himself in both Indian and overseas conditions. KL Rahul too has shown great maturity since he has taken up the opening role again in Australia. Both of them have shared century-plus stands in tough conditions of England and Australia
They also complement each other's game beautifully and are all set to open in both the Tests against West Indies unless an injury pops up.
Why will Sai Sudharsan bat at 3 and Jurel at 5?
Sai Sudharsan is all set to bat at number 3 after his decent performance at that position in England. He scored a crucial fifty in the Manchester Test in tough conditions and also made important contributions in other two Tests.
India are also looking for a long-term number 3 in this new era, and he is likely to get a longer rope under Shubman Gill, given his exploits at the domestic level. The batter also scored two fifties and a hundred at number 3 against Australia A recently, and with a good technique at his disposal, expect him to bat at three against West Indies.
At number four will be Shubman Gill, who was the leading run-scorer on the tour of England. He has swiftly fitted into Virat Kohli's number four position in Tests and would be looking to continue that in his first home assignment as Test captain.
Dhruv Jurel is likely to bat at the number 5 position in the absence of Rishabh Pant. It would allow India to play all-rounders below him, and with the kind of consistency Jurel has shown at the international level, expect him to be trusted to take crucial spot. Jurel also scored 140 against Australia A recently, thus he has shown the pedigree to be a proper batter worthy of batting a bit higher in the line-up.
Why can India afford to go with four spinners against the West Indies?
Criterion
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Washington Sundar
Axar Patel
Matches
49
9
5
12
Wickets
238
38
18
47
Average
20.71
23.39
19.77
18.65
5w/10w
13/3
2/0
1/1
5/1
Batting Runs
2023
133
270
594
Bat Average
37.46
12.09
67.50
39.60
100/50s
3/13
0/0
0/2
0/4
(The above stats are for Test matches in India)
India have four spinners in their squad and three of them are spin-bowling all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja has been a world-class performer over the years and has the ability to score big hundreds as well as run through the batting line-ups with the ball in hand. The likes of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have also done well both with the bat and ball in home Tests, and thus, having them would help India avoid the need for an extra batter.
Also, with conditions expected to assist spinners, India can also afford to play Kuldeep Yadav as the fourth spinner. The wrist spinner displayed good form in Asia Cup and also can run through the batting line-up on his day. Thus, having Kuldeep would give India an aggressive option and help them dominate in spin-friendly conditions.
However, if the pitch is not conducive enough for the spinners, then Kuldeep Yadav can sit out. In that case, India might go with Nitish Reddy, who can provide batting and contribute with the ball as well.
Why will Jasprit Bumrah play the first Test match?
India are likely to go with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as two seamers. Bumrah also played in the Asia Cup, but as he has been included in the Test squad, he is most likely to feature at least in the opening Test.
If India win the opening Test, then they can go with Prasidh Krishna and rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test. Thus, India have a balanced squad and they are likely to fill their team with spin-bowling options who are all-rounders and provide India with depth in batting and bowling.
India's strongest XI for 1st Test Against West Indies
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Indian team in England (Source: AFP)
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