India vs Australia 2017: India's predicted XI for the first Test

MIDDLE-ORDER

Cheteshwar PujaraHaving overcome a drop in form and brushed aside critics with strong batting performances recently, Pujara is now back to prime form, as was exhibited by his 83 in the first innings against Bangladesh. He came back to score a quick half-century in the second innings when India required some rapid run making, showing that he is hardly the one-dimension player his critics accuse him of being. He recently made his way into the record books by scoring the most number of runs by an Indian in a first class season.

Virat Kohli

Words are drying up to describe the kind of form he is in currently, irrespective of the format or opponents. He crushed the Bangladeshis beyond repair with his fourth double ton in four consecutive Test series, becoming the first player in the history of the game to do so.

Against Australia, Virat Kohli has compiled some of his best knocks across formats: there is little reason why he won’t be able to reproduce the same.

Ajinkya RahaneThat he managed to sideline a triple-centurion from the following Test speaks volume of the importance Rahane has on the team in the longest format. A man for all conditions, Rahane’s finger injury might have had displaced him from the team for a while, but he announced his return with a well compiled 82 that helped forge a partnership with Kohli and Saha. He is a vital piece in the Indian batting machinery, possessing the ability to stall and rebuild the game if there is a top order collapse.

Wriddhiman SahaParthiv Patel displaced him for a while, but not for long. Still India’s No.1 choice keeper in Tests, Saha announced his return with a century against the Bangladeshis in the one-off Test, claiming his spot back with style.

Safe behind the gloves, Saha’s only problem while batting is that he tends to throw his wicket away at the most crucial junctures.