India v Australia, Test Series 2017 - India Predicted Squad

After an emphatic win over Bangladesh in the one-off Test match at Hyderabad, the team India is now ready for the next challenge. Their next assignment is the four-match Test series against Australia. The last time Australia toured the country, they were whitewashed by the MS Dhoni-led men. This time, the leadership duties of the hosts have been changed. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India is looking an equally strong side, if not better. They have been unbeaten in the last 19 Tests in the past 2 years.

The unbeaten streak under Virat Kohli is ominous and the team was undefeated in Test cricket in the year 2016. While the pundits have already been predicting an Indian win in the upcoming series, one can definitely not take the visitors lightly. Australia have been a good touring side and have had a fair bit of preparation coming into the series. They have done their homework as they have drafted in specialist spinners in the squad. Skipper Steven Smith has been in a rampaging form and his form against India would be a worrying concern for the hosts.

Needless to conclude, the series promises to be mouth watering clash. While Australia have put their permutations on paper, the Indian team is yet to be announced. India is most likely to field the same squad that recently featured against Bangladesh. Here is the predicted Indian squad for the Australia series:

Openers: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir/Abhinav Mukund

Murali Vijay will undoubtedly be the first choice opener in the lineup. The only place that bothers the Indian team is the other opening batsman. While Vijay has been consistent with the bat at the top of the order, he has often found his partners struggling. KL Rahul had a poor outing in the Bangladesh Test but is likely to be retained in the side. The replacement opener could well see Gautam Gambhir fit the bill.

Days before the announcement of the squad, Gambhir has hit two consecutive fifties in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to show his good form. He is likely to get a look in. In case the selectors wish to retain the squad, they will go ahead with Abhinav Mukund, who was in the squad for Bangladesh Test.

Also check out- India v Bangladesh only Test – Statistical Highlights

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair

Cheteshwar Pujara fits the playing eleven at number 3 and the sublime form of Virat Kohli has him fixated at the number 4 slot in the lineup. The number 5 position will be seeing Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair fitting into the team. Rahane will be the first choice player at number 5, considering his recent good run against Bangladesh. In case he misses out, Nair will serve as a backup and has every right to be in the squad after registering a brilliant triple ton against England.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya

Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been on the fringes of his Test debut for quite some time now. While there are other names that serve as an all-rounder in the Indian line up, Hardik Pandya is the specialist all-rounder in the squad. He provides the option of playing with an extra batsman in the lineup.

Wicketkeeper: Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha has just reinstated his claim as India’s first choice wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Saha scored a brilliant ton in the first innings in the Bangladesh Test at Hyderabad. His wicket keeping was up to the mark too. Unless there is an injury scare, Saha is likely to take the field as the wicket keeper in all four matches. In case he gets injured, Parthiv Patel or Rishabh Pant could get a look in. However, that is a far cry for now.

Spin bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav

The strength of the Indian team is the spin bowling. It has been the spin department that has singlehandedly won matches for the team on the home soil. The duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have settled in their roles and can contribute with the bat as well in the lower order. The position of the third spinner sees tough competition between Jayant Yadav and young chinaman Kuldeep Yadav.

While Jayant Yadav is fit at the moment, There is little clarity about Amit Mishra’s fitness and Kuldeep Yadav could retain his place in the squad. Kuldeep was drafted in as a replacement for Mishra in the Bangladesh Test.

Fast bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Anyone in the right mindset would say that Indian pace bowling has improved drastically over the years. With bowlers these days able to clock high speeds in excess of 140 Kmph, it seems quite clear that the Indians are most definitely justifying their place atop the world rankings.

Considering no update on Mohammad Shami, there are good chances that he might not feature in the initial squad but might be added later. For the moment, the pace trio of Bhuvneshwar, Ishant and Umesh are looking good for starters. All three bowlers were impressive in the outing against the Bangladesh.