India vs Afghanistan 2018: SWOT Analysis of Ajinkya Rahane-led Test squad

The Indian team was announced for the one-off Test series against Afghanistan which is to be held from June 14-18.

In the absence of Virat Kohli, the side will be led by Ajinkya Rahane for the special Test, that sees Afghanistan make its debut in the longest format edition. The BCCI selected a 15-member squad and there were not many surprises in store given India’s recent achievements. Shardul Thakur comes in for Jasprit Bumrah, who is being given a rest keeping the long tour of the UK next.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar too has been handed a break, as India named four pacers. Rohit Sharma, who toured South Africa earlier this year was dropped and Karun Nair was drafted in. The No. 1 Test team will be hoping to see off the Afghan challenge, who have stars like Rashid Khan. The visitors are familiar with the Indian conditions and will be wanting to give a solid account of themselves.

One thing to be sure is that Rahane will be urging the team not to take the Afghans lightly as the focus is to go all out.

Here is an analysis of the squad for the one-off Test addressing the key aspects.

Strengths

The likes of openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan will be back in opening the innings. Although against South Africa they looked vulnerable, in Indian conditions they have been amongst the runs. India wants the duo to play a pivotal role in England and Australia later this year and this Test could see them build their confidence.

The middle-order is where India is very strong. Cheteshwar Pujara looked positive with the bat against Sri Lanka when they toured India in November 2017. He had scored a commanding 143 in the Nagpur Test. The form of KL Rahul in the ongoing Indian Premier League has been top notch and he could get a go in the middle-order.

Rahul’s hunger for runs and maturity is a bonus for India given Kohli isn’t there. The regular spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are back. Ashwin will be the player to watch out for and is the side’s leader of the bowling pack. He had a commendable series against the Proteas. The presence of Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder gives India the cushion.

The pace attack also has the required experience in Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. It is likely that Ishant, who has been in good touch in his county spell, share the ball with Shami. The Bengal pacer thrived with the red cherry against South Africa.

Weaknesses

Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t played for India post the Test series against Sri Lanka in 2017. He was on the bench in South Africa and has been overlooked in the limited overs format. So his confidence and presence of mind will hold the key to how he goes about his game. If Kuldeep Yadav is preferred over him, then there could be question marks over his India future.

Wriddhiman Saha has been the regular Test keeper, but his batting form has been a demise. One feels that given its a one-off Test, Dinesh Karthik could have been given a chance. He has been in the prime form off late and could add more firepower in the side. Saha is likely to keep in England and a county spell there would have given him a better outlook on how to go about. England has world class bowlers in its ranks and Saha will be targeted.

Ajinkya Rahane’s form is also a worry. Last time against Lanka he disappointed before being dropped to the bench for the first two Tests against South Africa. Whether the 48 in the third Test against SA in Johannesburg will give him a lift here, it remains to be seen.

Opportunities

There is a big opportunity for Rahane as a skipper to show his potential. Being the vice-captain all this while, he must have learnt a lot from Kohli. And now its time for him to be prompt in the field and make decisions that go in the team’s favour. Also the trio of Vijay, Dhawan and Rahul will be paid attention too.

Once Kohli will be back for the England series, two out of these three will feature as openers. And a good knock against Afghanistan could see either of any player has a better chance. If Kuldeep gets a chance and impresses, he could stake a claim in the tour of England and Australia as the second spinner and that’s where Jadeja could be axed. Same goes for the senior pro, who needs to take this chance if selected along with Ashwin in the playing XI.

#TeamIndia for one-off Test against Afghanistan announced

Ajinkya (Capt), Shikhar, Vijay, KL Rahul, Pujara, Karun Nair, Saha (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Umesh, Shami, Hardik, Ishant, Shardul #INDvAFG

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 8, 2018