After a chaotic beginning, the pieces are beginning to fall in place for India. For a side that looked undercooked at Hyderabad and managed to get over England by riding on individual brilliance in Vizag, there is new found optimism as they head to Rajkot next week. For a team that will be without the services of Virat Kohli, the timely return of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja (fitness permitting) means they stand a good chance of keeping the momentum intact.
The only big call, in Friday’s selection meeting, was to drop middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, who has been struggling for runs, and also, complained of back and groin pain. It is understood that the medical team didn’t raise any red flags to the selectors and Iyer has been dropped following a string of low scores. And having made a promising start to his Test career in Vizag, Rajat Patidar gets a chance to make the No 5 spot his own.
Since the second Test, there have been deliberations on the conditions they will encounter henceforth at Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala. With Dharamsala known to be seamer-friendly, India’s think-tank is focussing on sealing the series before they head to the Dhauladhar ranges and is the reason why they have drafted both Rahul and Jadeja straightaway into the fold. Although they have to clear the fitness test, it is learnt that their recovery is on the right course with the batsman being a certainty to bat at No 4.
While KS Bharat’s performances with the bat have been below par, India are also aware that they are short on options on this front. In both the Tests, there were no issues with his primary skillset and with Rahul and Jadeja both back, they are likely to stick with Bharat at Rajkot. In case, Bharat continues to struggle with bat, then India are set to turn their eyes towards Dhruv Jurel for the last two matches.
At Vizag, short on options, India were unsure about their playing XI till the last moment. Having already lost Rahul and Jadeja, they even chose to rest Mohammed Siraj. It was a decision they took more as a precaution. But having left the coastal town unscathed, India’s first objective is to seek the early initiative when the series resumes after a nine-day break on February 15.
Call on Bumrah
With regards to Bumrah’s workload management, it is understood that with the medical team not raising any concerns for now, India are likely to play him at Rajkot. In the two Tests so far, Bumrah has been the lone Indian bowler who has managed to consistently put pressure on England. With his reverse-swing breaking England’s back in both the Tests and the pacer finding his old rhythm back, India believe his presence will be all the more vital in Rajkot. The nine-day break means Bumrah has also got more recovery time and unless the pacer asks for a rest, he is certain to take the field at Rajkot.
And with Siraj also back in the squad, India believe they have got the right arsenal to go hard at England. But there are also indications that in case both Bumrah and Siraj are not able to take the field together, then they would go in with an extra spinner. Before the second Test, there were deliberations whether India should go in with Mukesh Kumar or Washington Sundar. In the end, they went with the former who could hardly make any sort of impact, which meant India had to rely on Bumrah for the major part with the ball.
So at Rajkot, in case Siraj manages to offer the much needed control with the old ball, then it could also open the door for India to play Bumrah in all five Tests, as there is another 8-day gap between fourth and fifth Tests. It is reliably learnt that the player is keen on playing all, but the selectors and the team management have informed him to take rest at Ranchi keeping the road ahead in mind.
Spin combo
It is in the spin department where India are set to face a selection headache, particularly if Jadeja is fit to play. In his absence, Kuldeep Yadav managed to grab the opportunity and has managed a strong case to retain his spot. In that case, it leaves Axar Patel in a spot. While he did make crucial contributions with the bat, his bowling hasn’t made any sort of impact and has been taken for the cleaners by the Bazballers. Whether to retain him and bench Kuldeep will be India’s biggest headache leading to Rajkot.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
