The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played on March 4 at the IS Bindra Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh. After whitewashing the Sri Lankan team 3-0 in the T20I series, the hosts will be looking forward to doing the same in the two-Test series.
This match is a milestone one for two people, as Rohit Sharma will captain India for the first time in Test matches and former captain Virat Kohli will play his 100th Test match for the Indian team. After a successful Test season in 2021, India will also look to continue the momentum with the red-ball in 2022.
Keeping this in mind, here is the COC predicted Team India playing XI for the first Test.
With KL Rahul out of contention due to injury, Rohit Sharma, who will make his Test captaincy debut, will be opening the innings with Mayank Agarwal, who didn’t have a good series in South Africa. This will be yet another chance for Agarwal to make himself in line for opening duties going forward as well.
With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane dropped from the Indian Test side, two spots have opened up in the middle order with three batters vying for them. Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer are in the fray for the no.3 and no.5 spots in the Indian Test XI.
However, it is expected that Hanuma Vihari will take up the no.3 spot, given that he is the most deserving of that position and has the technique for the same. Virat Kohli will continue at the no.4 spot. It will be between Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer for the no.5 batting position and given the current form, Iyer beats out Gill for the spot.
Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin (if fit) make the lower order and the two spin options for captain Rohit Sharma. With Vihari also capable of bowling a few overs, Rohit will have multiple options available to him. If Ashwin fails to get fit in time, India has the option of Kuldeep Yadav, Jayant Yadav and Saurabh Kumar who are the other spinners in the India squad.
As for the fast bowlers, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are almost certain to be picked given that Bumrah is the vice-captain of the team. The third seamer option will be between Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. Given Umesh’s tremendous numbers at home, he is the most likely pick.
COC Predicted Team India Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
