IND vs SA 2021: 5 Senior Indian Players Who Might Be Rested For The Test Series

India will be eyeing a historic series win in South Africa with the upcoming test series and this will be the ultimate challenge for Virat Kohli’s led side. India will be riding high on confidence after the wins in England and Australia and South Africa will be wary of the visiting team’s quality.

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India and South Africa met last in the 2019 three-match test series in the sub-continent and India won the series comfortably 3-0. However, it is time to look at 5 senior Indian players who might be rested for the test series.

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5 Senior Indian Players Who Might Be Rested For The Test Series:

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara has been playing just the test cricket at the moment and his recent form in the last two years has raised question marks over his place in the side. He couldn’t get going in the first test against New Zealand and his century drought has already moved to more than two years now.

Pujara is still a vital player in the Indian test setup at 3 and he has been contributing with half-centuries. However, his knack of getting those big knocks has come down and that will be one of the concerns. India could try a Shubman Gill at number three as he has shown potential and Pujara could make way for him in South Africa to see how the youngster goes.

Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane has had a tough time of late and his lean patch has extended to more than 20 games. He definitely needs to re-align his game by getting back to domestic cricket and could possibly be rested for the upcoming series against South Africa.

Rahane has been an important player in the overseas conditions and he has stepped up when India has struggled. However, his inconsistent show needs a full stop and the deserving players like Shreyas Iyer could get a look in. It won’t be a surprise if India sends a statement to Rahane that he is rested for the upcoming South Africa series.

Wriddhiman Saha:

Wriddhiman Saha hasn’t played many tests this year and it was good to see him back in the playing XI against New Zealand. The 37-year-old felt some stiffness in his back in the recent test against New Zealand and KS Bharat had to keep in place of him.

Saha has done well in the second innings with an unbeaten 61 and he will be looking to continue his good form in the South Africa tour. However, hit fitness concerns and his age factor will be a conundrum for India and they will be looking to try out the option of KS Bharat as the next backup wicketkeeper option.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ravichandran Ashwin has been a huge success for India in the test format especially and his numbers are staggering. The 35-year-old now has been featuring in India’s T20I plans as well and he bowled beautifully in the New Zealand limited-overs series.

Ashwin is 35 years at the moment, and he might soon think about his retirement. The spinner also needs a rest given his workload in the last few months and this will be the best time for India to try out other spin options considering the future. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are two of the long-term prospects who could be used for the South Africa tour by resting Ashwin.

Ishant Sharma:

Ishant Sharma has been playing a huge role for India in the test format with his consistent line and lengths and has been very impressive especially in overseas conditions. However, in the last few tests, Ishant has not found his mojo and is looking far from his original rhythm.

He seems like he is wearing out and with him already playing 100 tests, India will start to use the pace bowling resources they do have. Mohammad Siraj and Umesh Yadav have done well every time they have had an opportunity and hence, the management would think about resting Ishant in the South Africa tour.

Also Read – IND vs SA: 5 Indian Players Who Can Make Their Test Debut In The Series

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