IND v SL: Team India likely to field three pacers in Kolkata Test

Team India is all set to host the Sri Lankan side for a full tour this winter. The tour commences with the first Test scheduled to be played at the iconic venue of Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In surprising turn of events, it is being speculated that the hosts might go in to the game with three frontline pacers in the lineup. It is not an everyday story to see the pacers dominate and dictate terms in the Asian conditions.

However, the recent reports in News18 suggest that the team management has already asked the curators of the venue to prepare tracks that are bouncy and hard. This can be seen as India’s attempt to prepare themselves for the upcoming tour of South Africa. Also, the fact that the team India batsmen preferred to have some serious short ball practice at the most recent net session stands as a testimonial for these assumptions.

Selection conundrums

If the plan stays and the hosts indeed opt to go for three pacers, then there would be selection conundrums for the management. Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami are expected to be the two pacers who will lead the attack. Along with these two pacers, the team will have to pick one among Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma. Bhuvi has been in prime form in the recent times.

Also, he had bagged a five wicket haul when India had played New Zealand in a Test match at the same venue. At the same time, Ishant Sharma has also been in fine rhythm. He recently led Delhi in the Ranji Trophy matches, and more importantly, bowled exceptional spells.

In addition to the pacers, the team could go in with two regular spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin was seen bowling leg breaks in the practice session recently. Jadeja opted to skip the pratice session since he had just arrived after having served Saurashtra in a Ranji Trophy fixture.