England have arrived in India for a five-match Test series to be played in a short span of six weeks, with only 17 days of rest between the matches. England land in India after their shock defeat in Bangladesh helped the Tigers draw the two-match Test series.
The visiting batsmen were seen struggling against spin in Bangladesh, and will be facing similar conditions on Indian soil. The hosts, too, have a couple of question marks to be addressed before they walk out at Rajkot.
HARDIK PANDYA’S SELECTION
One of the biggest surprises sprung up by the new selection committee was the inclusion of Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the Test squad. His inclusion has certainly led to many questions, because the seamer, apart from one ODI, did not have much success in the series against New Zealand.
A lot of Indian limited overs players have been questionably promoted to the longest format in the past on the basis of their strong performances in the shorter formats. However, Pandya has clearly not done enough in ODIs to warrant a spot in the Test team.
His record in first-class cricket is also not among the best, and surely there were more deserving players who are waiting in the wings. Pandya just might end up being a weak link in an otherwise strong Indian Test team in home conditions, if he makes it to the playing XI.
To be part of the Indian 🇮🇳 Test squad is a dream come true for me. pic.twitter.com/OZUFAHo97p
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 2, 2016
INJURIES TO OPENERS
Indian batsmen, not one but three, are ruled out of the Test series due to injuries. The list includes Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma.
While Dhawan’s absence might not be felt much, considering his average performances recently, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s absence will be felt if Gautam Gambhir, whose recall to the Test team has been extended, fails to deliver.
Gambhir’s recent records in domestic cricket, though, are unquestionable, more so after that 50 he got in the Indore Test against New Zealand.
Despite trying out five different combinations in the last 14 Tests, India have failed to record a century partnership at the top in the said period.
PLAYING COMBINATION
The big talking point is whether India will choose to go in with the 6-5 combination or fall back on the luxury of having seven batsmen. Karun Nair will make it to the team should India choose to go in with six batsmen and Wriddhiman Saha.
Such a combination looks unlikely as the Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has usually preferred playing with five bowlers. If that’s the case, Pandya or/and Amit Mishra could get a game.
UP AGAINST A BOGEY TEAM
It has been the best part of a decade since India’s last Test series win over England and Amit Mishra is the sole member of the Indian line-up from 2008 in the squad for Rajkot.
Kohli was among the players who struggled when India toured England in 2014, scoring a mere 134 runs in five Tests at an average of 13.4.
In the same tour, Ravichandran Ashwin had managed to take only three wickets in two Tests and was dropped thereafter for the first Test against Australia at Adelaide.
In the 2012 home Test series against England, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner had taken 14 wickets in four matches at an average of 52.64 – by far, his worst performance in a Test series on Indian soil.
TURNING PITCH COULD BACKFIRE
India should not get carried away if they get a turning pitch in Rajkot. Although their spin options are top notch, their batsmen have in the past been unsuccessful against spinners and England have a few in their ranks.
The spinners from the opposition might not match the skill that the Indian spinners possess, but you never know how they can spring up a surprise on a rank turner.
Moeen Ali could prove to be England’s most potent bowler. He troubled the Indian batsmen in 2014 and he may end up doing so again. Adil Rashid hasn’t quite made his mark in Test cricket yet, but being a leg-spinner, he can trouble the Indian right-handers.
The new generation of Indian batsmen haven’t really got a good record on rank turners. It will be interesting to see if they can turn the tables this time around.
