Middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari’s exclusion from the 16-member squad for the two-match series against New Zealand was the biggest surprise even as the national selectors confirmed resting five of the regulars for the opening Test.
As already reported by The Telegraph on Friday, India will be without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the Kanpur Test, which begins on November 25.
Kohli will return for the second match in Mumbai, which is to start on December 3. The BCCI confirmed via a media release that Ajinkya Rahane will lead in Kohli’s absence with Cheteshwar Pujara as his deputy.
Shardul Thakur also finds himself out of the squad, having been a regular since touring Australia earlier this year. The all-rounder will be out of action from the preceding T20Is as well.
Opener Shubman Gill, who missed out on the England tour following an injury in the World Test Championship final in Southampton, makes a comeback. Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion suggests that the new team management, led by head coach Rahul Dravid, wants to try out new faces in the middle order. Iyer has already shown the promise and flair to succeed in all formats.
KL Rahul is the other specialist opener in the squad and it remains to be seen who partners him at the top — Gill or Mayank Agarwal. Kohli’s No. 4 spot may then go to the one who misses out on the opening slot.
But it was Vihari’s omission that remained the talking point all through the day. The right-handed batsman had helped India save the Sydney Test in January, literally batting on one leg after a hamstring tear. He missed out on the final game in Brisbane and didn’t get a chance thereafter.
There was no immediate word from the selectors on his omission, but more than five hours later, the BCCI announced on Twitter that Vihari had been added to the India A squad which will tour South Africa later this month.
It would probably be logical for Vihari to acclimatise in South Africa before the Test series gets underway next month than be in the XI for just one Test.
Sources told The Telegraph that the selectors are looking at a broader perspective by making him play the three four-day matches in Bloemfontein. A window of opportunity may open his way if the team decides to play six batters during the Test series or Rahane/Pujara fails to hold on to their spot in the side after the New Zealand series.
“Vihari’s current form has hardly been encouraging to merit a place in the Test team. Playing for the A side in South Africa will do him a world of good before the big series,” a source said.
With Pant rested, Wriddhiman Saha is tipped to play his first Test since the crushing defeat in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide in December last.
Uncapped Prasidh Krishna, who was promoted from the reserves in England, has retained his place to join Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj in the pace attack.
Another shocker was the inclusion of off-spinning all-rounder Jayant Yadav though it is highly unlikely that he will get a chance to play. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be in charge of the spin attack with Axar Patel as back-up.
The spotlight is on...
Ajinkya Rahane. File photo
This could be a make-or-break series for the regular Test vice-captain. Having failed to make an impact in England, he will be under pressure to keep his place after this series if he falters again. Had Rohit Sharma not been rested, he might not have captained India in Kohli’s absence.
Ravichandran Ashwin. File photo
The off spinner last played in the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton in June and was ignored for the next four Tests against England. But at home, the world’s best spinner will be India’s main weapon again and his success could go a long way in deciding strategy on future tours.
Shreyas Iyer. File photo
The middle-order batter has been part of the limited-overs India sides in the past, but is yet to make his Test debut. His inclusion in the squad means that the team management is looking at new faces. Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara might make way for Iyer, who has already proved himself in Ranji Trophy.
Wriddhiman Saha. File photo
The wicketkeeper is set to play his first Test since last December. The Bengal player’s experience in keeping on rank turners will come in handy though it is his batting that will be under scrutiny. With Andhra’s KS Bharat also a part of the squad, Saha, 37, will surely feel the pressure to perform.
...& the omissions
Hanuma Vihari. File photo
With Kohli rested, it was assumed that the 28-year-old would be included in the squad. But by keeping him out and adding him to the ‘A’ side for the tour of South Africa, the selectors are perhaps looking at the broader picture. He might make a return to the Test squad when India tour the African nation later this year.
Shardul Thakur. File photo
The all-rounder has been a part of the side in all formats since the tour Down Under earlier this year. He has been left out of the preceding T20I series as well. The selectors are obviously expecting a more consistent performance from the Mumbai player given that specialists in different formats are being contemplated.
Test squad
Ajinkya Rahane (captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Note: Virat Kohli will join for the second Test and lead the team