Mohammed Siraj will have a competition with Shardul Thakur to claim the fifth pacer’s slot in India’s Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour while left-arm spinner Akshar Patel is also likely to be in contention for a place in the squad, PTI reported on Tuesday (October 20).
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Team India are scheduled to play six white-ball fixtures against Australia before moving to four Tests.
Bearing in mind the safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the selection committee led by Sunil Joshi is expected to pick a jumbo squad for all three formats when it meets later this week
With two veteran pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (thigh injury) and Ishant Sharma (side strain) doubtful to regain fitness ahead of the marquee tour, Navdeep Saini will certainly be the fourth pacer after Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav.
According to the report, fifth pacer's spot in Test matches may go to Siraj, who has done well in First-Class for India A and his Ranji Trophy side.
"Siraj has really done well for India A over the past few seasons. I think he is a better red ball bowler and could be very handy in Australian conditions," former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad told PTI.
Prasad also feels the new selection panel could consider Shivam Mavi, who is plying his trade for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing IPL.
"Mavi could be given exposure as an extra pacer at least in white ball and may be groomed later for red ball," he said.
Shardul and his CSK teammate Deepak Chahar should make it to the limited-overs squad, where Umesh Yadav is unlikely to find a place.
When it comes to wicketkeepers, there will be four in the squad. KL Rahul will be the first pick in white-ball cricket with Rishabh Pant (all formats) and Sanju Samson (only T20s) also joining him. In the longest format, Wriddhiman Saha will be there as Pant's back-up.
Likewise, India have a number of options for the opening slots in the form of Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill for all formats. With KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan’s presence in the limited-overs squad, India will have six players capable of facing the new ball.
The middle-order will be comprised of skipper Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya in the white-ball team. With Hardik not bowling, Shivam Dube could be the back-up all-rounder.
As far as spin options are concerned – Washington Sundar (only T20s), Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja should be part of the limited-overs team. Akshar’s performance in the ongoing IPL for Delhi Capitals has also enhanced his selection chances.
Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja and if needed Kuldeep will be there in the Test squad as specialist spinners. Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will also be part of the Test line-up.
Likely Squad (all formats):
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (VC, white ball), Ajinkya Rahane (VC, Tests), Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj
(With PTI inputs)
