Australia vs India 2018: Five Cricketers Who Are in The Test Squad Against Windies But Will Not a Find a Place in the Test Series Against Australia

Team India will be desperate to prove their worth as the top-ranked Test team when they tour Down Under for a four-match Test series later this year.

Meanwhile, India had a dismal tour of South Africa and England earlier this year. They lost to South Africa 2-1 before suffering a humiliating loss to England by a 4-1 margin. However, this time around Virat Kohli & Co will be keen to give their best shot to win their first ever series in the Down Under.

After a grueling Test series in England, the selectors decided to rest some of the key players. As a result, they brought in some youngsters for the two-match Test series against the Windies. But with Australia in the opponents’ column, the selectors will aim to field the best possible XI against the Aussies.

Here is the list of five cricketers who are likely to miss India’s upcoming tour of Australia:

PRITHVI SHAW

Prithvi Shaw has impressed one and sundry in his debut outing against Windies. He scored 134 runs opening the batting for India which overshadowed the century from skipper Virat Kohli. In doing so, he also bagged the man of the match award.

While many have joined the bandwagon of praising him, few have raised questioned on his technique in fast wickets. The former Windies skipper Carl Hooper feels he plays too much away from the body which will create problems for him.

 “He seems to be a great talent but tends to play away from the body. Clearly, he likes to be on the back foot and play square off the wicket. It worked here (in Rajkot) but with so much gap between the bat and body, he could face issues in England and Australia,” Hooper said to PTI. 

However, this should not be a warning call for young Shaw, who has enough time to show his class in Australia and England.

MAYANK AGARWAL

Mayank Agarwal has impressed the most in the past 12 months in the record-breaking domestic season. However, after much deliberation, he finally earned his call for the Test series against Windies. But failed it to make the cut in the first Test at Rajkot, in which India won convincingly.

Although Mayank is likely to make it to the second Test against Windies, his selection for the Australia Test series is unlikely to happen. The selectors are likely to go with players who have the experience of playing in Australia.

HANUMA VIHARI

Hanuma Vihari, who has a staggering record in the first-class cricket made his debut in the final Test against England. Moreover, he impressed with a half-century against a potent bowling attack in challenging conditions. He showed his class playing some gorgeous looking shots on green tops in London.

However, he failed to make the cut for the first Test against Windies. Vihari will have to wait more for opportunities to come his way to cement his place in the playing XI.

MOHAMMAD SIRAJ

Mohammad Siraj earned his maiden India call following his consistent show in the domestic circuit. Since making a mark in the IPL, Siraj has been in the good books of the selectors. He soon made it to the India A team and has been a part of it since then.

However, with the return of premier fast bowlers in the squad, it will be tough for Siraj to sit on the flight to Australia. Meanwhile, he is young and has a lot of prospects with which he can make it to the Test team in the near future.

SHARDUL THAKUR

Shardul Thakur has been in with the team for quite some time now but lacked consistent opportunities. Although he has made his limited overs debut for India, Shardul is yet to make it to the Test squad. With the absence of senior pacer, it was likely that Shardul will make his debut at Rajkot. But India went in with three spinners thus making him warm the bench again.

Furthermore, with Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returning to the squad for the Australia series, it is highly unlikely that Shardul will also be in that squad.

However, Shardul Thakur will look to impress if he gets an opportunity in the second Test against Windies and be in the good books of the selectors.