Focus on small, medium and large players

Perhaps even more important than the West Indies Test series, is the upcoming Ranji Trophy season for the Indian team, which will provide an opportunity for existing players to practice ahead of the South African series, prepare fringe players for bigger challenges and also showcase new talents.

The Ranji season begins on October 15 and comes at a time when the Test team is going through a major transformation. We therefore cannot emphasize more the importance of a season for the players, but also for the national team, to have a regular supply of players.

Seniors need to play, it’s the right time for Rishabh Pant to get fit again

National selectors have made it clear that senior Test members must play domestic cricket, if available. Last year Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma played, and this time Rishabh Pant will be seen turning up in Delhi. He is not yet fit and not in the team, but the time has come for him to play at least one match before the SA series; he has been injured since the English series.

Mohammed Shami, after being overlooked for Tests, in fact all formats now, will have a major point to prove. He has already come out publicly and claimed that he is in good shape and now it is time to turn heads again.

Opportunity for fringe players to stand out

Karun Nair has been missing from the Indian team since his horror show in England. But it wouldn’t be the end immediately. He averaged over 50 in last year’s Ranji and could perhaps stand out again. Once again, Shardul Thakur is another such player who keeps coming in and out of the team. As Mumbai skipper now, he would have additional responsibilities and perhaps a closer eye from the selectors. A few meaty performances here, and he could be up to speed in the SA series again.

He averaged 42 with the bat last year and picked up 35 wickets with the ball. At almost 34 years old, this could be his very last chance to come back. Then, not forgetting Sarfaraz Khan, who is now a national giant. For unknown reasons, he has just been absent since the AUS tour; Averages of 66 and a strong performance here could change the selectors’ hearts.

A surprise entry here is that of Ishan Kishan. He is the captain of Jharkhand, and his short stint with the county and then inclusion in the Irani Trophy shows that he is being considered for Tests. But for that, he will have to improve his career average of 38.

Performance just to stay current

There would be some players who, on the face of it, would not play Tests in the near future, but just to be considered by India would have to change their performances. Bengal opener… you must feel for Abhimanyu Easwaran. He has been traveling with the Indian team as a reserve opener for a while now, but is yet to make his debut. He is 30 years old, time is certainly running out, but a bad season could deprive him of consideration.

Tanush Kotian is another one of those players, who should be great, just to be aware. He averages 45 lower down the order and has picked up 114 wickets, so more than a utility player. But there seems to be no room for a caster on the side. But you never know, and Gautam Gambhir’s penchant for playing all-rounders is well known. So, a good season and Test debut could be around the corner.

Anshul Kamboj is a Test player, but injury stopped him from getting the desired results. Now, to restore the confidence of the selectors, he should find something special. Last year he got 35 wickets in 6 matches, with a strike rate of 29. So the quality is there.

India could find its number 3

I tried once, but Rajat Patidar just couldn’t do justice to his talent. Today, he is the best captain at the national level, led the Vidarbha team in Irani and scored over 500 runs at an average close to 50. He bats in the middle order and was excellent in the Duleep Trophy as well. So, a lot if on his plate. If he’s not #3, then he could be considered for another spot.

Dhruv Jurel is a regular player for the Indian Test team. Yes, opportunities are few and far between, perhaps in Pant’s absence, but he can certainly emerge as a strong contender at number 3. His average at FC is 51, while he recently scored his first Test ton against WI. So, definitely lucky there.