Indian Cricketers Who Should Retire From Tests With Comeback Nearly Impossible

Team India grew to No.1 spot in Test rankings under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. After a bit of ups and downs, India have established themselves as a dominating side in the longest format of the game. In the inaugural edition of World Test Championship, India have maintained their top position after a win over the West Indies and Bangladesh, before losing to New Zealand in the away tour earlier this year.

India has maintained their top rankings in Test cricket for 42 months now. It has been possible due to formidable unit which has performed to the fore, especially in the home conditions. The national team still needs to find rhythm in overseas conditions with the New Zealand tour earlier this year a reality check for them.

While India have an established Test unit, backed up by many new names, there are some players who should retire from the sport with their comeback nearly impossible.

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina made his last international appearance in 2018. He has been a mainstay for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL but still has not been able to perform consistently. His chances to make a comeback in the limited-overs format are less with a Test comeback nearly impossible due to his current form.

Raina has played 18 Tests for India and scored 768 runs at an average of 26.48. He has never been a regular in this format for the national team.

Parthiv Patel

Senior India wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel has been in and out of the house and has supported the team as a back-up keeper for a long run. He was the first Gujarat captain to lead them to maiden Ranji trophy triumph. However, with a current formidable set-up in the Indian team, his comeback looks impossible.

Patel has played 25 Tests for India. He has scored 934 runs at an average over 31. At the age of 34, when India have a problem of plenty as wicket-keeper batsman, it is nearly the end of road for Patel in the longest format of the game.

Dinesh Karthik

With KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha already in fray for the wicket-keeping slot, Dinesh Karthik will find it difficult to make a comeback in the Test team. He played his last Test for India in tour to England and since then has been out of favour from the side.

Dinesh Karthik, however, continues to score runs for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji trophy. He had scored one century and two half-centuries in the last four matches for his state team.

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was once the flag-bearer of Indian spin attack in Tests. Top batsmen like Ricky Ponting were his bunny as he was involved in many historic wins for India including the 2001 Kolkata Test.

However, after 2015-16, Harbhajan Singh has not found his footing in international cricket. But has played for two top franchises in the IPL. He has no hopes of making a comeback in the Test team as he is still eyeing a return for the national team in the shortest format.

Karun Nair

Karun Nair has dealt with an ‘unlucky’ start in his Test career. Even after scoring a triple century and being included for the side in the subsequent series, he was not given a chance to feature in a Test match. Nair, was later dropped from the side, and found it difficult to make a comeback since then. He has played six Tests for India, averaging over 62, and at the age of 28 he still has a bit of hopes left to make a return for the side.