India vs West Indies: Analysis of India's Test squad
India announced a 15-member squad for the two Tests against West Indies starting October 4. Virat Kohli will be leading the side that has an interesting bunch of names. With some big players being rested, others will need to step up. There is a new entrant in batting line-up in the form of Mayank. Here is the complete analysis of the Test squad.
Here is the India squad which would face West Indies
Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur.
A look at India's openers for the 2-match series
KL Rahul retains his place in the team. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan has been axed from the side and in his place comes in the in-form Mayank. India could opt for these two to open the innings, with Prithvi Shaw being the back-up option. Shaw was also a part of India's squad for the fourth and fifth Tests against England.
Mayank could set the standards high
The onus will be on Mayank and Rahul to lay a strong foundation. A defining knock from Rahul in the fifth Test helped save his place. Mayank is the one who has been ruling the domestic circuit and we expect the same against West Indies.
A solid middle order for India
The middle order looks strong given Kohli is there to steer the ship. He has been in amazing form with the bat and has scored runs everywhere. Cheteshwar Pujara will look to do well at the crucial number three spot. Some runs will help him boost his confidence. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane too will be in the hunt for runs and cement his place.
Vihari adds support, Pant provides aggression
India also have Vihari, who is likely to add support from the bench given India could field five specialist bowlers in the absence of Hardik Pandya. He gave a good account of himself in his debut Test at the Oval against England. Rishabh Pant adds the aggression at number 6 and the selectors have shown faith in the youngster to express himself further.
India's trio of spinners could get a spot in XI
India's spin trio of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav could be lethal for the West Indies. Kohli could select all the three players in the line-up and attack West Indies with an all-round spin show. This could be defining for India and it could also give them the platform to evaluate on how Kuldeep performs in the 5-day format.
Shami, Umesh to go all out in pace department
The pace department sees the likes of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah being rested, keeping the Australia series in mind. This will put the onus on Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav to go out and deliver for the hosts. Both have done well in the red-ball format. The duo will be looking to make it count and prepare well for Australia.
Shardul and Siraj lend voice from the bench
Md. Siraj and Thakur have been called upon to act as the back-up options. Thakur hasn't played Test cricket despite being in the squad against both Afghanistan and England. Notably, Siraj has been doing well in the domestic format.
