 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Should the struggling Rahane make way for an extra bowler, asks Harish Kotian.
Play Selector and help Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri pick the Indian team for the final Test.
High on confidence after their innings and 239 runs win in the Nagpur Test, India will be keen to end the Test season at home on a winning note before they embark on challenges in South Africa and Australia early next year.
The Indians have been boosted by Shikhar Dhawan's return for the third Test against Sri Lanka, which begins in New Delhi on Saturday, December 2. The left hander had taken a break for the second Test for personal reasons.
Murali Vijay's century at Nagpur means he has sealed his slot for now. Captain Virat Kohli and Coach Ravi Shastri may persist with the consistent K L Rahul -- who had a rare failure in the second Test -- rather than opt for a left and right opening combination.
Mohammed Shami -- India's best fast bowler -- is expected to be fit for the Delhi Test. Ishant Sharma made a fine return to the national side with five wickets in the game.
'Even on this wicket, to have that kind of bounce and trouble the batsmen regularly, I think Ishant was outstanding,' Kohli acknowledged at his post Test interaction with the media on Monday.
'Although the spinners obviously did a good job for us,' the skipper added, 'I think Ishant was the standout bowler in this game.'
In contrast to Ishant, Umesh Yadav seemed to be struggling with his rhythm on his home ground in Nagpur.
For the Delhi game, India, who played four bowlers in the Nagpur Test, may include Shami and Ishant and also field five bowlers.
One batsman in that event would have to be dropped. Rohit Sharma's sparkling century in Nagpur means the classy batsman will stay in the playing eleven. But his fellow Mumbaikar Ajinkya Rahane -- who has had had three successive failures -- could sit the third Test out.
Rahane is a rare Indian batsman whose record is better away from home. In Tests played outside India, 'Jinks' averages 53 with 1,817 runs from 23 Tests, but at home, his averages dips to 35 with 998 runs from 17 Tests.
One can expect a seamer-friendly wicket at the Feroz Shah Kotla -- to prepare for the South African tour -- and India will play three fast bowlers.
Will 'Jinks' make way for Shami? Will Kohli and Shastri drop Umesh and give all-rounder Vijay Shankar a Test cap?
Please click the boxes below to select your India team for the third Test: