Four Players Who Can Secure Test Series Triumph for Team India

Updated - 20 Jul 2018, 07:55 PM

India
Photo Credit: PTI.

Test cricket is considered as the toughest form of cricket and in India, it is in itself a massive thing in gentleman’s game. So much so, it is the best criteria to judge the temperament, dedication, and disposition of a player.

When it comes to countries like the United Kindom (UK) and Australia, Test cricket gets more emphasized. In fact, limited-overs cricket is considered as a rehearsal to gear up for Test format.

The recently-concluded shortest version of the competition squared off with an equal result, overall. In Twenty20 International format, India won the series by 2-1. In One-day Internationals, England clinched the series 2-1 to take a sweet revenge.

India
Photo Credit: AP.

India and England are in the saddle to display their skills in the impending five-match herculean but pivotal Test series. The series will kick off from August 1 in Birmingham.

Based on handsome Test performance, India will be hoping to prove their Test domination outside the home as well. Indian players will be sure that England tour is the best possible yardstick to gauge the performance of a player.

For now, we will present the top four players whose performance would be momentous in clinching the series for Team India.

#1 Ishant Sharma:

Ishant Sharma
Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI.

When it comes to testing format, Ishant Sharma provides a forepart in an Indian triumph. He has been an ‘ace card’ for India in the recent past.

During the Down Under tour in 2008, we witnessed how a lanky pacer troubled Ricky Pointing, who was unarguably the best batsman of the era.

In the historic win at Lord’s, we have witnessed how he dismantled the England batsmen where he used the short ball tactics to achieve success.

Ahead of the England series, Virat Kohli and his company will expect a similar show from the tall pacer, Ishant.

With a handful amount of county experience in his hand, Ishant’s importance in the series gets doubled.

India would be hoping wickets from the paceman at crucial times to keep the English batting under check.

#2 Cheteshwar Pujara:

 

Cheteshwar Pujara
Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Cheteshwar Pujara shares a similar tale as that of Ishant Sharma when it comes to the county cricket.

He is known as the successor of Rahul Dravid. When it comes to solid defence and temperament he is the one to look out for. When it comes to longer innings, Pujara has definitely the potential to do so for India, just like the ‘Wall’.

If he continues to show the same rendition that cricket experts and pundits expect from him, he would be a lynchpin in an Indian triumph.

It provides an enticing experience for others batsmen as they feel relieved to bat alongside Pujara due to his calm approach. He is regarded as one of the Test batsmen in the Indian squad while having the truest sense.

#3 Virat Kohli:

Virat Kohli
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images).

You simply cannot rule out Virat Kohli when it comes players to watch out for in toughest conditions. Not only the Indian fans even the England do not have any second opinion regarding the match-winning qualities of him.

It is not the first time when he is dominating the batting charts one after another. After assigning the role of captaincy for India, his game has reached to pinnacle instead of any disaster whatsoever.

However, one needs to admit that even after having blistering figures in the Test format as well, he needs to show a significant development in the foreign conditions such as England.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane
Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Ajinkya Rahane may not be a regular member of Team India for the limited-overs game. However, since his debut, you can hardly see any Test squad without his presence.

Arguably, when it comes to technique, he is the most technically sound batsman of India at the moment.

He definitely has such kind of an approach that could glue the middle-order concerns of Team India.

However, Rahane needs to rectify his feet movement. His performance with the bat in the recent matches has not been up to the mark. India will be optimistic to see his climax with the bat.

Tagged:

Ishant Sharma Virat Kohli