IND vs SL: 3 Senior Indian Players Who Might Be Rested For The Test Series

After playing the upcoming three-match T20 series against West Indies, Team India will take on Sri Lanka for three T20 internationals and two Tests. India are yet to announce its new full-time captain in Test Cricket. As per recent reports, Rohit Sharma is the frontrunner to take the leadership role.  After missing the Test series in South Africa, he will be making his comeback in the longest format of the game against Sri Lanka.

Apart from the captaincy, India are yet to announce the squad for the two-match Test series as well. Perhaps, we could see a lot of young players making it into the squad and some senior players might be rested. In this article, we have predicted three senior players who could be rested for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

IND vs SL: 3 Senior Indian Players Who Might Be Rested For The Test Series

1. Ishant Sharma

Perhaps, Ishant Sharma’s time as a prominent fast bowler of the Indian Cricket Team has come to an end. He played his last Test match in November 2021 against New Zealand. Ishant Sharma was included in India’s squad for the Test series in South Africa but didn’t play any game.

The Indian Cricket has begun its transition phase in Test Cricket and thus the senior fast bowler might find it difficult to get back into the Test team. If reports are to be believed, the selectors are looking to give chances to young fast bowlers and thus Ishan Sharma might be rested for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

2. Ajinkya Rahane

Despite being in poor form for quite some time, the Indian team management has consistently backed Ajinkya Rahane in Test Cricket. He had a forgettable outing in the Test series in New Zealand and returned with mediocre returns in South Africa as well.

In 3 Tests, he managed 136 runs at an average of 22.67 against South Africa. The team management is looking to move on from India’s former Test vice-captain and, thus, he might not be picked in India’s squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

3. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara has been a vital cog in India’s Test team for a number of years. He has made some important contributions with the bat in India’s historic victories in Test Cricket. There is no doubting his potential in Test Cricket, however, Pujara hasn’t looked at his best, as far as the performances of his last couple of years are concerned.

He scored 702 runs in 14 Tests in 2021 at an average of 28.08. His average of 28.08 is far less than the career average of 43.9. Pujara struggled badly in the seamer-friendly surfaces of South Africa. In 3 Tests, he only managed to score 124 runs at 20.67. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if the team management decides to rest Cheteshwar Pujara for the Test series against Sri Lanka.