Indian team whitewashed the West Indies 2-0 in the recently concluded Test series in the Caribbean, bringing them 120 points in their inaugural series of the ICC World Test Championship. It also ended their away tours and now comes time to face South Africa at home.
The Proteas had defeated India 2-1 when they hosted in 2018. The two teams will face-off in three T20Is and three Tests, with the Test matches to be played in the month of October 2019. The first Test will be played in Visakhapatnam from October 2nd, the second Test to be played in Pune from October 10 and the third and final Test to be played in Ranchi from October 19.
Keeping the current success of the team in mind and the fact that India will be playing at home, Team COC has decided to predict the Indian squad for the first Test match at Vishakhapatnam.
Mayank Agarwal did just enough on the tour of West Indies to show promise that if enough time is invested in him, he has the technique and temperament to succeed at the top as he did against the Australians earlier this year. Playing at home will give him an advantage as well. However, the same cannot be said for his partner in the Caribbean, KL Rahul, who has wasted opportunity after opportunity to cement his place and its time that the selectors move on from and give him space to regain form.
The best option to partner Mayank at the top is Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal, who slammed a brilliant ton in the Duleep Trophy 2019 final. Easwaran has been amongst runs in the domestic circuit in the last 2-3 years and the time is ripe for him to take center stage and show his mettle at the international stage.
The middle-order should probably remain the same with Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari holding onto their spots after good outings against West indies, barring Pujara, who seemed to be out of sorts. However, everyone knows his caliber and hunger for runs. Rahane, Vihari, and Kohli got runs and are in good form.
Rohit Sharma is expected to be chosen in the squad along with Rishabh Pant, who needs to make runs and not squander the opportunities, as he might not get many. A return might be on the cards for Hardik Pandya in the Test team, as he was given time to recuperate from his injuries in the World Cup. Now that he has had plenty of rest, he might be itching to get back into action for India.
Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav might get preference for the spin department given their pedigree and record in their own backyard. Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah might be the chosen pace attack against the South African team. This will also be the first time Bumrah will play in front of his home crowd in the whites on the international stage.
South African team might be low on luck and marred in controversies, but they are still formidable opponents, despite what their record in the home suggests.
Predicted Team India squad for the first Test:
Mayank Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah
