5 Indian players who might not be picked for the West Indies Tests

Selection committee meeting to announce the Indian squad for the Test series against the West Indies was supposed to happen on Wednesday (September 26), but the squad announcement has been postponed to September 29.

The selectors are waiting for final confirmation on the fitness of some of their key players. Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin will undergo a fitness test on September 29 before the selectors take a final call on their availability.

After the humiliating 4-1 series defeat against England, the selectors will have some big decisions to make, especially the opening slot. India tried quite a few openers in the England series, but none of them took the opportunity, except for KL Rahul.

The selectors will definitely have one eye on the Australian series when they announce the squad on Saturday. Fast bowlers might get some rest and Ashwin’s injury could open the door for Chahal.

Without much ado, let’s take a look at the 5 Indian players who might not be picked for the West Indies Tests.

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#5 Shikhar Dhawan

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Two

Though Shikhar Dhawan is arguably one of the best limited-overs opening batsmen in the world, he has been struggling a lot when it comes to Test match cricket, especially in the overseas conditions. The 32-year-old found it extremely hard to score runs against a swinging and seaming ball.

In the recently completed Test series against England, Shikhar Dhawan finished with only 162 runs in four games. He failed to make a single 50+ score in the series from his eight innings. With the highest score of only 44, Dhawan struggled a lot against James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Indian selectors have given him enough opportunities so far, but he has failed to establish his credentials as a Test batsman. With the future in mind, the selection committee might want to try something new against a relatively easy West Indies team.

#4 Murali Vijay

England v India: Specsavers 2nd Test - Day Two

Not so long ago, the Tamil Nadu batsman was India’s No.1 opener in Test match cricket. However, injuries disrupted his career and he never found his best again. A technically sound batsman, Murali Vijay is regarded a lot for his patience and ability to leave the ball outside off, but he has struggled a lot in recent times.

In the two games he played in the recently concluded Test series against England, Murali Vijay scored only 26 runs in four innings. He looked completely out of touch and faced only 75 balls. He was dropped from the squad after the third Test.

Prithvi Shaw is waiting in the wings and the selectors might want to give him an opportunity. Mayank Agarwal is also an exciting option.

#3 Dinesh Karthik

England v India: Specsavers 2nd Test - Day Two

The curious case of Dinesh Karthik continues. One of the best wicket-keeper batsman Indian cricket has produced in recent times, Karthik still has not justified his huge potential at the international level, especially in the longer format of the game.

Wriddhiman Saha’s injury gave him the perfect opportunity to cement his place in the Test side, but, the 33-year-old failed to make use of it.

In the two games he played in the series against England, Karthik scored only 21 runs. He was dismissed for 0 on two occasions in four innings and only once reached a double-digit score.

Saha’s is yet to make his comeback from injury and that could work in Karthik’s favour. KS Bharat could be an option if the selectors decide to look elsewhere.

#2 Hardik Pandya

England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day Three

Hardik Pandya was withdrawn from the 2018 Asia Cup after a back injury against Pakistan early in the tournament. Though Pandya wasn’t mighty effective in the series against England, he still picked up 10 wickets and scored 164 in four games. However, he might have to improve his performances to become a regular member of the playing XI.

Pandya is not expected to be fit for the series against West Indies. A fast-bowling all-rounder is not a high priority for India in the home series against West Indies. Though Hardik Pandya is almost certain to travel to Australia, if he is fit, selectors might want to look at the spin bowling all-rounders for the home series. Ashwin’s availability could decide the spin bowling composition of the team.

#1 Ishant Sharma

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Two

Ishant Sharma is on the list, not because of his performances, but because of his importance to team India for the series against Australia in December. Ishant Sharma was phenomenal throughout the Test series against England and finished the series as the second highest wicket-taker.

With 18 wickets in five games, Sharma was India’s best bowler in the Test series. After a heavy workload in the England series, Ishant Sharma’s fitness has been a big concern for the selectors. The 30-year-old could be given additional rest to recover in time for the all-important series against Australia.