Who among Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara will form the Indian cricket team's top three for the first Test against England that starts on August 1 at Edgbaston.
Team India face England in a highly-anticipated five-match Test series starting August 1 at Edgbaston. The visitors drew Essex in a three-day practice game that ended on Friday, with the batsmen spending some much-needed time out in the middle.
Skipper Virat Kohli has said on plenty of occasions that India's bowling attack for each Test against England will be decided after having a hard look at the wicket. The batting unit, on the other hand, is just as unpredictable at the moment.
During the Essex game, Kohli registered a half-century along with Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya. The biggest worry for the Ravi Shastri-coached outfit was the lackluster performances by Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara. Expected by many to be a part of India's top three come the opening game, the duo has surely given a headache to the team's think-tank.
Dhawan's shocking pair and Pujara's scores of 1 and 23 have blown open the debate regarding India's top three for the first Test against England. Captain Kohli has used the terms 'horses for courses' and 'current form' while selecting the playing XIs in the past. While his ways have surely lacked consistency and left much to be desired, Kohli along with Shastri will need to make some tough calls while framing the batting unit for the start of the series.
1. 1. Murali Vijay
)
One of India's best overseas batsmen over the past few years, Vijay holds the key as the visitors look to negate the dreaded new ball. 'The Monk' is the only certainty in India's top three at the moment.
(Photo credit: AFP)
2. 2. KL Rahul
)
KL Rahul might just pip Shikhar Dhawan for the second opener's slot due to current form. Virat Kohli had shockingly included Rohit Sharma ahead of Ajinkya Rahane during the Test series in South Africa sighting 'current form', and one expects him to stick to that logic come the first Test against England. However, both Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri are also big on 'impact players'. Dhawan is, perhaps, the only top-order batsman in India's squad who can turn the match on its head in a single session. His back-to-back ducks against Essex and general inefficiency against the moving ball, though, have to be given due importance. Dropping Rahul, who's in the form of his life, for Dhawan will be a massive call on the team management's part.
(Photo credit: AFP)
3. 3. Cheteshwar Pujara
)
India's 'Test specialist' might just hold on to his beloved No.3 position. Cheteshwar Pujara has spent many months plying his trade in England's County Championship, but form eluded him and his poor showing against Essex has put him in a spot. Playing Vijay, Dhawan and Rahul as the top three might be a tempting option, but Pujara's pedigree as a Test batsman should save him the axe.
(Photo credit: AFP)
4. 4. Virat Kohli
)
India's best batsman will hope to be the unit's backbone at the all-important No.4 position. Virat Kohli has a lot to prove in this Test series. England is the only country where he hasn't succeeded in white-ball cricket, and the talismanic leader must surely be itching to set the record straight in this 'final frontier' of his glorious career.
(Photo credit: Reuters)
5. 5. Ajinkya Rahane
)
Ajinkya Rahane's exclusion from India's Test XI in South Africa caused quite a furore back home, especially after his valiant effort in the third and final Test. The Mumbaikar, who has been one of India's finest batters in the longest format of the game over the past few years, will be eager to cement his position in the England series. He led India in its last Test - against Afghanistan - but failed to get going. Rahane has a lot to prove, and runs from his bat will be critical for the visitors.
(Photo credit: AFP)
6. 6. Dinesh Karthik
)
With Wriddhiman Saha out injured, Dinesh Karthik is the obvious choice for wicket-keeper. Rishabh Pant is in the squad too, but there's no doubt whatsoever that DK will wear the gloves when India come out to bowl in the first Test. The seasoned campaigner's free-flowing 82 against Essex gave a glimpse of the sublime touch he's in at the moment.
(Photo credit: Twitter @BCCI)
7. 7. Hardik Pandya
)
Should India go with five specialist bowlers? Well, it would take a courageous man to bet against Hardik Pandya featuring in the first Test. The all-rounder is rated highly by the captain and coach, and could prove to be a game-changer if he gets going at No.7. India have always craved for a quality fast-bowling all-rounder in white-ball cricket. Pandya's knack of picking up wickets combined with his ball-striking ability mean the tourists have a genuine match-winner in their ranks.
(Photo credit: AFP)
