India’s predicted XI against West Indies

India’s predicted XI against West Indies: Sportsrush presents before you India’s predicted XI for the first Test against West Indies.

With the final of the Asia Cup being played between India and Bangladesh at the moment, let us go through what could well be India’s playing XI for the first Test against West Indies.

The Indian team is scheduled to host West Indies for a full tour next week. With the first Test set to begin on October 4 at Rajkot, below is the expected playing XI which might take the field next week:

1. Top-order – Lokesh Rahul, who scored a career-saving century against England at The Oval, will continue to open the batting, albeit with a new opening partner in Prithvi Shaw. Given the amount of runs he has scored in the last couple of years, it is high time that the 19-year old right-hand batsman gets his maiden Test cap.

Cheteshwar Pujara will continue to provide solidarity to the Indian batting line-up whilst batting at No. 3. Given his record in India, the team management would be hoping for him to stand tall on his reputation.

2. Middle-order – At No. 4 and 5, India have a couple of world-class middle-order batsmen in captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane. The latter might be down on confidence due to an inconsistent run in the recent past, but he has it in him to overcome this patch.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who has batted at No. 6 for India in Tests in the past, is likely to take over this all-rounder-sorts of role yet again. Rishabh Pant, who scored his maiden Test century at The Oval, has extended his run of keeping wickets for India in Test matches.

3. Bowlers – Ravindra Jadeja, who has made a comeback in both India’s Test and ODI squad, will play at No. 8 as the second spinner. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also expected to walk back into both the squad and the playing XI. Umesh Yadav, who had played a lone Test in England, is likely to be included into the playing XI and accompany Kumar and Mohammad Shami with the new ball.

Below are some of the Twitter reaction regarding West Indies’ tour of India: