India and New Zealand kick off the first Test in their three-Test series at Green Park, Kanpur on September 22. Virat Kohli’s men should be well prepared to start the battle for supremacy in a long season starting at home with this Test against the Kiwis.
India will draw inspiration from the fact that they are yet to lose a Test series since Kohli took over as the full-time captain. There is added incentive of India securing the top ranking in Tests once again should they manage to clinch the series.
Here is the predicted Indian XI for the first Test at Kanpur:
MURALI VIJAY
Considered to be one of the best Test openers in the world right now, Murali Vijay will once again have his hands full as India will rely on him heavily to get the team off to good starts.
The ‘Monk’ has been rock solid for India at the top of the order and is expected to continue doing good work in this series. He will be a key player in the series because of his ability to score big centuries.
KL RAHUL
KL Rahul’s surreal run of form of late means that it is possible that Shikhar Dhawan might get the axe for the all-important first Test. Though Dhawan still remains a force to reckon with in sub-continental conditions, judging on form alone, Rahul is all set to get the nod ahead of him.
Rahul has been in brilliant form since the IPL, both in Tests and limited overs cricket for India. Kohli has never been shy of backing the youngster and may once again put his trust on him to occupy the one of the opening slots.
CHETESHWAR PUJARA
When Pujara first made his debut, he was universally hailed as the quintessential No.3 and even considered to be the rightful heir to Rahul Dravid.
Pujara has been too inconsistent off late in Tests, but he has been retained in the squad because of his brilliant domestic performances recently.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly in an interview to India Today recently backed Pujara ahead of Rohit Sharma. Ganguly felt that Sharma has been given enough chances and Pujara should now get the nod because he is the better player in the longest format of the game.
VIRAT KOHLI
Considered to be one of the best players of this generation, Virat Kohli has grown into the role of captaincy very well ever since he took up the top job for India in the longest format of the game.
Under his captaincy, India are yet to lose a Test series and his sternest Test will come now as he kicks off a long home season.
As a batsman, Kohli has been at his best across all formats of the game this year. He will be the vital pivot in the middle-order and India will heavily rely on him to play the long innings to see them through in crucial situations.
Kohli, as always, will remain the player to watch out for in the series.
AJINKYA RAHANE
One of the most underrated players in the Indian team right now, Ajinkya Rahane over the years has turned into a vital cog in the Indian batting wheel. Although he was left to warm the bench for a significant part of his early career, Rahane has now become one of the best batsmen in the line-up.
Much will depend on Rahane to hold the middle-order together with the captain. Their partnerships can be the most crucial thing for India in the series. The Blackcaps bowlers will try to get them early because of their ability to occupy the crease and score big centuries.
India can play all 3 spinners. Helps that each is different & each bats well enough to contribute. Will depend on 5 batsmen or 6.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN
One of the key members of the Indian Test outfit is Ravichandran Ashwin. After Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, Ashwin has kept the tradition of great spin bowling alive in the Indian team.
It is his ability to run through oppositions that makes him such a dangerous bowler in Tests in sub-continental conditions. Ashwin has also tremendously grown as a batsman and now bats higher up the order at No.6.
With two centuries in the last Test series in the Caribbean, Ashwin has shown that he is more than a capable batsman. It is his all-round abilities that has given the Indian think-tank the luxury of operating with five genuine bowlers in Tests.
WRIDDHIMAN SAHA
It is perhaps the most difficult job – to step into the shoes of MS Dhoni as his successor.
Wriddhiman Saha, the unassuming West Bengal wicket-keeper, has however grabbed his opportunity with both hands and has been doing a more than useful job.
There have been no questions raised about Saha’s work with the gloves because of which he has often earned the plaudits of his skipper. But he has also come of age with the bat recently as he showed with his superb century in a crucial partnership with Ashwin in the last series.
RAVINDRA JADEJA
Although Jadeja recently lost his place to Amit Mishra as the second spinner in overseas Tests, he is all set to feature for India in a three-prong spin attack against the Kiwis.
Jadeja has always been a part of the Indian team in sub-continental conditions where a lot of overs are demanded from the spinners.
The trio of Ashwin, Mishra and Jadeja might pose the sternest Test for the visitors if the ball starts spinning later in the Test match. The inclusion of Jadeja will also mean that India have a longer tail with Ashwin batting at No.6 and Mishra having already got runs under his belt in trying situations.
AMIT MISHRA
After a phase when he was passed over as unathletic, Amit Mishra has re-invented himself as the most formidable leg-spinner in the country.
Mishra is never afraid to flight the ball and entice batsmen into a false shot. He gets good side-spin off the track which makes him a dangerous bowler in sub-continental conditions. He is sure to put in a lot of overs in tandem with Ashwin.
MOHAMMED SHAMI
Despite a spate of injuries which saw him miss out the all-important ICC World T20 this year, Mohammad Shami is back to his very best. His pace has not suffered and he is running in like before. More importantly, he looks injury-free at the moment.
Ever since his comeback, Shami looks to be in good form and has always given India breakthroughs in crucial situations. He is ready to bend his back and bowl fast to make things happen even during dull periods. He will be spearheading a rejuvenated Indian pace attack.
ISHANT SHARMA
The most experienced fast bowler in the Indian line-up, Ishant Sharma seems to have re-found his form under the captaincy of Kohli.
Ishant has remained one of the most enigmatic fast bowlers in Indian cricket. Even though his famous spell to Ricky Ponting in 2008 is still talked about, fans also remember his undisciplined bowling when he leaked runs in the years that followed.
Recently, though, his devastating spells against Sri Lanka and the West Indies suggest that he is back to his very best. His pace is back and so is his commitment to get wickets to break crucial partnerships.
India will need all his experience in the series against New Zealand.
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