India vs South Africa 2019: Three players who deserved a place in India’s Test squad

The Indian selection committee, under chief selector MSK Prasad, on Thursday announced a 15-member squad that would face the Proteas in a three-match Test series beginning this October.

The series against South Africa will also mark the beginning of the home Test season for the Virat Kohli-led side which is set to play five Tests in a span of two months. This will also be India’s first home Test assignment in the World Test Championship.

The selection of the Indian Test squad was majorly anticipated for a couple of spots that were up for the grabs. All eyes were on the selectors as they gave away a few hints over a new possible opening combination which might take the field in the first Test at Vizag. While Rohit Sharma was chosen for the opening slot alongside Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant was given another chance to prove his mettle as a wicket-keeper in the Test format.

While some players were lucky to get the nod, there were a few who still await their chances to get into the Test side.

Here’s a look at three players who deserved a place in India’s Test squad.

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#3. Abhimanyu Easwaran

The Rising player from Bengal.

One of the most prolific run-scorers in the domestic circuit, Abhimanyu Easwaran has done everything to earn a spot in the national Test squad. Playing for Bengal, the left-handed opening batsman has been the mainstay for his state's side, especially in the four-day format.

With loads of runs at each level in the Indian domestic circuit, the 24-year old has made rapid progress to reach at the India-A level in quick time. With an aggregate of 861 in just 11 matches at an average of 95.67, Abhimanyu proved his efficiency for Bengal to emerge as the seventh-highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19.

His consistency in the past couple of years has helped him take a step closer to pursuing his India dream. With a first-class average inching towards nearly 50, Easwaran would feel disappointed to miss out on an opportunity for a maiden Test call-up.

Mayank Agarwal has been retained as an opener.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#2. Priyank Panchal

2016-17 was the breakout season for Panchal.

One of the superstars in the making, Priyank Panchal has made a name for himself with his consistent showings in the domestic circuit. The 2016-17 season was a breakthrough year for the Gujarat-born lad. He was easily the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy, amassing nearly 1300 runs to help his side lift the coveted trophy for the first time in the history of the competition. The season marked the start of something spectacular for the 29-year old.

He has not looked back ever since as he continues to plunder runs to make a case for his selection in the senior team. His selection for India A was one of the rewards for his consistent showing for his state's side.

However, with limited spots in the Indian team, Panchal has failed to make it to the national squad. His exclusion from the Test squad might just be the much-needed motivation that drives him to break all barriers and become so good as to storm his way into the Indian Test side for the upcoming few series.

#1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Kumar is one of the top Indian bowlers

An Indian regular in the limited-overs format, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's career was halted by a back injury that derailed his career in the middle of 2018; an injury that saw him ruled out of the Test series against England in 2018, was a major blow to his aspirations in the longest format.

With the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah, alongside the combination of Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma, Kumar found it difficult to get into the Test side in any of the overseas tours last year.

He last played a Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg, playing a major hand in India’s victorious effort to take down the hosts. He might feel hard done by being left out of the squad despite not doing anything wrong.

His exclusion from the Test squad for a home series reveals how quickly he has moved down the pecking order for the fast bowlers in the Indian Test setup. For him to make a quick turnaround, he will have to rely upon his performances in the white-ball format as well as domestic games to convince the selectors over his potency to still make an impact in Test cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah has become India's leading pacer in both Tests and ODIs.