Prominent Indian stars who might warm the bench in Test series vs South Africa

Prominent players who might not play vs SA [Source: AFP Photo]

After defeating West Indies in a one-sided series, the Shubman Gill-led side will shift their focus towards the upcoming South African challenge as the Indian selection committee revealed the Test squad for the matches against the reigning WTC champions, South Africa.

A strong squad was announced for the South African series as India aims to win back-to-back Test series under Gill’s leadership. The core of the team was retained and the playing XI is almost sorted as India gears up for the challenge.

However, despite being picked in the squad, there would be some players who might not get a single game in the entire series (either due to playing combination, or due to a superior player already available in that position). In this piece, we take a look at 3 such players who might warm the bench vs the Proteas.

1) Dhruv Jurel

With Rishabh Pant back in the Test setup after a long injury layoff, Dhruv Jurel might have to warm the bench as Pant is a sure-starter in the playing XI, and he will don the keeping gloves against the South African side.

In his absence, Jurel kept wickets against the Windies and also performed well with the bat; however, Pant’s comeback means the duo cannot play together in the XI. With the openers set, Sudharsan at 3, Gill at 4, and Pant at 5, Jurel might not find a place in the side. Moreover, Gautam Gambhir loves all-rounders, and the likes of Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja will fill the other batting spots.

2) Devdutt Padikkal

Padikkal has played a handful of games for India and has done well, but just like Jurel, Team India’s playing combination might not allow him to get a place in the starting XI. Padikkal boasts decent numbers in Tests for India, and the stats do tell the story.

(Padikkal in Tests)

• 90 runs in 2 matches with an average of 30 tells that Padikkal has decent numbers in red-ball cricket, but he doesn’t have the best of numbers to cement his place in the XI.
• His best position is at number 3, but India have shown trust in Sai Sudharsan at that position, and they are likely to persist with him. Hence, Padikkal might not get a single game in the upcoming series.

3) Akash Deep

Another player who might not warm the bench due to his poor stats, but due to India’s playing combination in home conditions. The hosts will certainly start with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the first Test, and with the conditions favoring the spinners, the side will go ahead with Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja as the main spinners.

This leaves no room for a third pacer and unless an injury occurs, Akash Deep might have to warm the bench for the Test series against South Africa.

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