As India put together to play their first Test match in 5 months, against South Africa at Centurion, they’ll have 4 areas of debate after they choose their staff. Here are their choices, and what every of them supply.

Top order
India have tried it as soon as beforehand however for the primary time in a yr, and the primary time away from house since January 2012, they line up for a Test match with neither Cheteshwar Pujara nor Ajinkya Rahane of their XI. While the transition away from these two appears to be full, there are nonetheless some questions round sure roles, notably No. 3.

Shubman Gill has opened in 16 of his 18 Tests thus far, and alongside Rohit Sharma in 10 of them. In the West Indies earlier this yr, he dropped right down to No. 3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening wiith Rohit. Jaiswal’s first three innings in Test cricket introduced him 171, 57 and 38. In the identical two Tests, Gill made 6, 10 and 29*.

It leaves Gill on uncertain footing: he averages 32.20 after 18 Tests and his two centuries have come on flat tracks: in opposition to Bangladesh in Chattogram and Australia in Ahmedabad in a uncommon house draw. KL Rahul, who batted beautifully on the final tour of South Africa, could be a good match at No. 3 however that provides him little time to get better ought to he take the holding gloves too. And if Rahul would not preserve, it leaves India half a batter mild.

Wicketkeeper
Virat Kohli – assuming he rejoins the staff forward of the primary Test, as anticipated, following his departure for personal reasons – and Shreyas Iyer are locks within the center order as is Ravindra Jadeja. That leaves a query mark over just one remaining slot: that of the wicketkeeper. India have most popular of late to choose the higher batter of the alternatives accessible to them. If they proceed with that philosophy, Rahul will probably be beginning solely the second first-class match of his profession because the designated wicketkeeper. If he does so, it should solely be truthful he’s not requested to bat within the prime order. If India do go along with KS Bharat, both Gill or Rahul may need to make method relying on who they like at No. 3.

Bowling allrounder
The No. 8 has at all times been a matter of debate when India have travelled to seam-friendly international locations, they usually have tended to choose Shardul Thakur forward of R Ashwin, one of many Test greats. That appears to be the probably alternative extra so as a result of there’s rain forecast on the primary two days of the primary Test, which in Centurion means extra help for seam and little time for the pitch to deteriorate.

Fast bowlers
Jasprit Bumrah, enjoying his first Test since July 2022, and Mohammed Siraj are sure starters barring any health points. With Mohammed Shami injured, the selection for the third seamer comes right down to Mukesh Kumar, who debuted within the West Indies earlier within the yr, and the uncapped Prasidh Krishna.

Mukesh has the Shami-like attributes of upright seam and skiddy accuracy, however not at Shami’s tempo. Prasidh brings precisely what India appeared to overlook on their final tour of South Africa: Ishant Sharma-like top and the power to hit the deck.

A 3rd possibility for the third fast could possibly be Thakur however that will imply getting into with two spinners.