IND v SA | India’s Predicted XI for second Test in Pune

Openers

Rohit Sharma: He has the backing of the head coach and the captain. He settled into his new role as Test opener with two blockbuster centuries and a man-of-the-match performance. And so at least for the remainder of this series, and possibly against Bangladesh as well, Rohit has his spot locked down. What remains to be seen is if the ‘Hitman’ can be consistent at the top. 

Mayank Agarwal: He showed his class by coolly converting his maiden century into a double. Given his appetite for big runs, one can assume that the second innings failure was no more than an anomaly. And so, as he heads to Pune, Agarwal’s main concern will be to further his increasing reputation at the top of the order.

Middle-order

Cheteshwar Pujara: After an uncharacteristic string of low scores in the Caribbean, Pujara was knocked over by Philander in the first innings at Vizag. Even in the second innings, he began very slowly, just as India were looking to put their foot down. But then, as though some external force just turned the switches on, Pujara unleashed an array of shots to catch up with the flowing Rohit at the other end. India will hope that it continues in Pune as well. 

Virat Kohli: Such are the standards that captain Kohli has set for himself that some average scores in the Caribbean and in Vizag raises eyebrows. With his troops all firing just fine, Kohli himself is not the kind to worry about individual scores. Perhaps the comparisons with Steve Smith, who stole his #1 ranking from him, will push him to deliver a big one at Pune? 

Ajinkya Rahane: After a superb run in the Caribbean, Rahane struggled to get going in the first innings against the Proteas. The opposition skipper Faf du Plessis outwitted him into playing a false shot. However, he was given the license to play freely the second time out, and boy, did he not put on a show. Indian fans will hope that the length of show of his attractive brand of cricket will be much longer come Thursday. 

Hanuma Vihari: To be fair to the lower middle-order, chances were much limited in supply in the first Test, with Rohit and Agarwal stealing the show. Vihari was asked to go full monty coming in after Ravindra Jadeja, and he couldn’t quite manage it. With the ball, he was ineffective in the first innings and wasn’t used in the second. In Pune, however, the star of the Caribbean tour will expect a bigger role to fulfill. 

Wriddhiman Saha: He played a 16-ball cameo in the first innings, but by no means was it an above-average comeback into the Indian side for Saha. Having been touted as the world’s best wicket-keeper by his skipper, Saha dropped two catches in the match — incuding that of Dean Elgar en route a 160, the more prominent one. He will no doubt feature in all three matches in the series, but it is up to Saha to ensure that he stays on beyond that.

All-rounders

Ravindra Jadeja: Played the supporting role to Ashwin in the first innings, Jadeja got some quick runs in either innings and then ran through the South African lower middle-order in one over in the second innings. To put it in simple words, Jadeja had a near-flawless performance at Vizag. He also became the fastest left-hander ever to 200 Test wickets. And even more is yet to come from him in the second Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin: He breached Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of fastest to 350 Test wickets (in terms of balls bowled) by a mile, but more satisfying for him, will be to know that he is India’s finest option even on conditions that aren’t as favourable to spinners. In Pune, Ravi Ashwin will only want to continue to add to his bucket of wickets and lead India to yet another series triumph on home soil. 

Bowlers

Ishant Sharma: Although the seamers are not asked to do much more than holding up one end in subcontinent conditions, Ishant will not be satisfied with his performance in Vizag, Sure, he kept it very tight, in both innings, but India’s senior bowler will want to offer his captain much more than that. And perhaps the five-fer from his new-ball partner will be just the boost he needs. 

Mohammad Shami: Well, what can one say about Shami. He kept it tight in the first innings, but once the cracks opened up and the pitch offered variable bounce, Shami with a reverse-swinging ball proved an unplayable phenomenon for the South Africans. On the final day of yet another Indian Test win, it was Shami who stood up tall and led India home, and we hope to see more of the same for the second Test starting on October 10.