5 Indian Players Who Should Retire From Tests Ahead Of New WTC Cycle

WTC 2023 is witnessing its climax with the final between India and Australia. One of the two teams will lift the WTC 2023 trophy and conclude the Test campaign that commenced two years ago in 2021. The winner of the match will also win the ICC Test mace.

There are some Indian players who were outstanding with both bat and ball during the WTC cycle 2023. There were also a few others who failed to perform and were also dropped from some Test series. In this listicle, we take a glance at 5 Indian players who should retire from Tests ahead of the new WTC cycle.

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5 Indian Players Who Should Retire From Tests Ahead Of New WTC Cycle

5. Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha is the first Indian player who should retire from Tests ahead of the next WTC cycle. Saha was a permanent wicketkeeper for India till Rishabh Pant arrived with his magnificent show in India vs Australia Test series in 2021.

Saha last played a Test match in December 2021 against New Zealand, in which he scored 27 and 13 across 2 innings. Rishabh Pant is an emerging wicketkeeper for India while Saha has already reached 38 years of age and serving the last stage of his international career.

The right-handed batsman was not picked in World Test Championship 2023 final despite Pant being out of the team due to injury. Selectors have made it clear that KS Bharat and Rishabh Pant are the top two wicketkeepers in the longest format currently.

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4. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal is another player on this list. With the arrival of openers like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul in Tests, Agarwal lost his place as an opener in the longest format. Agarwal, who was a regular Test opener for India since 2018, played just 4 Tests each during the last three years (2020-2022).

The right-handed batsman last played in the series against Sri Lanka in March 2022, scoring 33, 4, and 22 across 3 innings. With numerous centuries in all three formats, Shubman Gill has proved that he is a better option for India in all three formats.

Moreover, skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to lead India in Tests for a few more years, and with Gill and Sharma at the front, Agarwal will find it hard to get opportunities as an opener in the next WTC cycle as well.

Also Read: WTC Final: “Rohit Sharma And Cheteshwar Pujara Will Be Kicking Themselves…” – Ravi Shastri Slams Duo For Bad Shots On Day 4 Of WTC Final

3. Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma was the most crucial bowler for India in the previous WTC cycle. In World Test Championship 2019-21, the right-arm pacer was one of the key bowlers for India and also played in the final. However, since the beginning of the World Test Championship 2023, Sharma has failed to impress with his bowling attack.

He last wore the white jersey for India in the Test series against New Zealand in November 2022. He failed to get any wickets in two games and was evicted from the team later. At 34 years and with a bunch of young pacers emerging in Tests, Sharma’s comeback to the Test team is almost impossible and he should bid goodbye to his Test career.

Also Read: ICC WTC Final: “It’s Very Much A Possibility” – Ravi Shastri Feels India Can Pull Off A Record Run Chase

2. Jayant Yadav

Jayant Yadav is another player on this list. The right-arm spinner has only played 6 Tests in his career so far. The off-spinner last appeared in Tests in March 2022 against Sri Lanka. While other bowlers starred in that match, Yadav failed to get even one wicket.

As a result, he was dropped from the Test side and never played for India again. With spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav making a mark in red-ball cricket, Yadav has almost no chance of making a comeback in Tests. Hence, he should call it quit before the start of the new WTC cycle.

Also Read: WTC Final: “When In Doubt, It’s Not Out” – Virender Sehwag Lashes Out At The Third Umpire After Shubman Gill’s Controversial Dismissal

1. Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav was in and out of the team in the current WTC cycle. Due to the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for the last 1 year, Yadav managed to get a place in the World Test Championship 2023 final. However, he failed to get any wickets in the 1st innings of the WTC final against Australia while other bowlers managed to get at least 1 wicket.

In 2023, he played 3 matches and picked 5 wickets. Yadav will turn 36 years old this year and selectors will soon opt to pick young pacers in the longest format. Yadav will be overlooked for the Test series in the upcoming WTC cycle and should pull the curtains down on his Test career.

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah