India's next major Test challenge will come in November 2024, as they gear up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The series, set to be played down under, holds immense significance, with both teams ranked among the top Test sides in the world.
For India, it represents a unique opportunity to achieve a historic feat — winning three consecutive Test series in Australia, a record no other team has accomplished.
India will head into the series with confidence but also with the task of finalizing their best possible squad for the tour.
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In recent years, India’s Test team has undergone some changes, with senior players nearing the twilight of their careers and a new era of talented youngsters making their mark. With Australia offering challenging conditions, the composition of India's squad will be crucial to their success.
India's selectors face a tough call in balancing experience with emerging talent, and there are also questions about who will serve as back-ups in case of injuries or loss of form. Here's a breakdown of the likely squad, and the fringe players who could be in contention for a place on the plane to Australia.
India squad for Australia Test series: Who will make the cut, who is out and who is on the fringes?
India’s squad for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is likely to feature a blend of seasoned campaigners and fresh talents. Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to lead the charge.
Rohit will retain his spot as captain, while Kohli's return to Australia is almost guaranteed. Bumrah and Shami, with their proven track record in Australian conditions, are almost certain to be included as well.
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Emerging stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who have already made their mark in Test cricket, are also poised to make the squad. Rishabh Pant, having deemed fully fit recently after the car accident, is another player expected to make the cut.
On the fringes are players like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, who are relatively new to the Test fold. Both have shown promise in limited opportunities they've been given.
Who are the other probables for India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad?
Batsmen: While Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal seem locked in as India’s primary openers, a backup option will be necessary. Sai Sudharsan is a name that could come into the fray.
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India’s middle-order will likely revolve around Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. However, players like Rajat Patidar could be in the mix as a potential backup.
Another middle-order option is Sarfaraz Khan, who has consistently performed in domestic cricket and could finally get his big break on the tour.
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Rishabh Pant remains India’s first-choice wicket-keeper. His explosive batting style makes him an asset since he could quickly change the game. KL Rahul could serve as another wicket-keeping option, though Dhruv Jurel is also a strong contender.
Bowlers: India's fast-bowling contingent will likely be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami (if fit), and Mohammed Siraj. However, backup options will be essential for a long tour.
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Akash Deep has staked a claim for a spot in the team. Prasidh Krishna and Yash Dayal, a left-arm seamer, are also options.
Dayal’s ability to swing the ball and generate bounce makes him a promising addition, especially with India lacking a specialist left-arm pacer in recent times.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin remain the front-runners in the spin department, but Kuldeep Yadav has forced his way into contention with impressive performances.
His ability to generate turn and bounce will prove useful on Australian pitches, especially on surfaces like Sydney.
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| Certainties | Probables | Contenders | Unlikely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | KL Rahul | Sai Sudharsan | Shardul Thakur |
| Virat Kohli | Mohammed Siraj | Abhimanyu Easwaran | Mukesh Kumar |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Dhruv Jurel | Rajat Patidar | Sai Kishore |
| Shubman Gill | Sarfaraz Khan | Arshdeep Singh | Ishan Kishan |
| Rishabh Pant | Akash Deep | Yash Dayal | Ajinkya Rahane |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Kuldeep Yadav | Ruturaj Gaikwad | |
| R Ashwin | Mohammed Shami | Shreyas Iyer | |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Prasidh Krishna | ||
| Arshdeep Singh | |||
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