5 players India should include for South Africa series

After dominating almost all teams in their own backyard, the Indian team will now embark on an 18-month long overseas campaign.

This provides an opportunity to the number one side to assert their supremacy across all conditions and hence the combination of the team will have to be spot on. The role of the selectors becomes very important as they chalk out and identify players who can handle the pressure and come out triumphant.

The selectors might announce the squad tomorrow and here in this slider, we identify five players who should be invested in for the upcoming sojourn all around the world.

#5 Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman bowler has had a spectacular start to his International career but has lost his spot to the regular spinners in the side, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.

However, the selectors should take him to South Africa as, with his unorthodox skill, he can well be India's X-factor on South African pitches. Also, he is still an unknown commodity in International cricket and this would allow the Indian team to spring a surprise against a rampant South Africa in their own conditions.

#4 Parthiv Patel

The diminutive wicket-keeper batsman did make a bright comeback to the Indian team in their last home season and immediately made an impact.

He has been in decent form in the ongoing Ranji season and has all the traits to be India's backup wicket-keeper in South Africa. Also, he has the prowess to be a good batsman anywhere in the order and with his free-flowing skills, can easily take the game away from the opposition, especially in conditions where the ball is expected to do the talking.

Apart from this, he has the leadership credentials which will also be a huge plus for Kohli on the field.

#3 Vijay Shankar

The young Tamil Nadu all-rounder received a surprising call-up to the Indian side for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. However, he could not make it to the playing XI as the team went ahead with 6 specialist batsmen.

Despite this, Shankar should be on the flight to South Africa as he is a brilliant prospect with both bat and ball and thus will render perfect balance to the Indian team in seaming conditions.

While Hardik Pandya will be India's number 1 all-rounder, Shankar will be a tremendous understudy and can walk into the team if there are any injury concerns.

#2 Shreyas Iyer

The young Mumbai man made his International debut for India in the T20 series against New Zealand, but his real worth is in the longest form of the game.

He has been in imperious form over the last three seasons and deserves a spot in the Indian Test squad. Also, he impressed everyone during India A's tour to South Africa and peeled off runs.

He will offer India an option at the number six position and this will only bode well for both the selectors and the Indian management as they will have two people vying for the same spot in the Indian team which is a sweet headache to have.

#1 Jasprit Bumrah

Perhaps the biggest debate will be the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad.

Bumrah, who has established himself as one of the match-winners in the limited overs format, has found a lot of supporters for his cause to be included in the Test playing XI.

"If you look at the skills Bumrah has and the way he has come through over the last two years, then he is ready to play Test cricket. He's got everything. He's got an unusual action, got good pace and with the brand new ball can get some good movement in the air," former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had said about Bumrah.

With his unique action and decent pace, Bumrah can certainly pose a lot of questions to the South African batting in helpful conditions.