India vs West Indies: 4 Surprises that can happen in terms of selection

With Asia Cup done and dusted, all eyes now shift to home series against West Indies, which begins on October 4. This will be the last series at home before India embark on a long away fixture.

This is the series most of the Indian batsman will be looking forward, as the bowling unit for the Australian tour looks settled. Indian batsman will be looking forward to fine tune their form with red cherry before the mega event.

Here is a look at four surprise inclusions that can happen in the home series against West Indies.

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#4 Prithvi Shaw makes his Test debut

India might have settled the opening spots in the limited overs side, but the opening slot in the test matches has been unsure for India in the recent times, especially after the poor form of Murali Vijay.

Indian batsman did not have a good tour of England, thanks to their form in the opening department. This is one area that the Indian selectors will be looking to make changes.

The prodigal son of India can be the solution to this problem. Lokesh Rahul has made the second opener his spot with a swashbuckling 149 against England in the final match of the series.

There are also multiple reports emerging that confirm that Prithvi Shaw will be making his Test debut against West Indies. A solid performance by the lad from Bombay in this home series can make sure that he flies with the team to Australia.

#3 Shikhar Dhawan dropped from the team

This might as a shock to the people who don't follow the white ball cricket as much as the red ball cricket. The Southpaw from Delhi was named as the man of the tournament in the Asia Cup 2018, and he was also the backbone of the entire Indian batting line-up in the absence of their star batsman Virat Kohli. But Shikhar is just a shadow of himself when it comes to the white ball cricket.

It is time for us to see Dhawan as two different players. Shikhar can potentially become a legendary opening batsman in ODI by the time he hangs up his boots, but he doesn't have the tools to make it big in Test cricket.

India has already axed Murali Vijay from the squad, and the England tour could have been the final nail in the coffin of Shikhar Dhawan's Test career. It will be thrilling to see Shikhar make comeback into this Test side, and performing well in overseas conditions, but chances of that happening are looking very slim.

#2 Kuldeep Yadav in place of an injured Ravichandran Ashwin

Kuldeep Yadav will be looking to make a return into this Indian Test side in place of an injured Ravichandran Ashwin. Kuldeep was dropped mid-way in the away series against India as the condition did not much for spinners.

With Jadeja's all-around efforts in the last match of the England series, he can even nudge above Ashwin in terms of selection for the spot of the primary spinner in the tour to Australia.

Hence, this will be an important series for Kuldeep Yadav to establish himself as a quality bowler in the Test arena. Ashwin along with Ishant Sharma is expected to take a fitness test on Sunday to ensure a place for themselves in the Indian squad against West Indies. If Ashwin manages to pass this test, the chances of Kuldeep making into the side looks bleak.

#1 Rohit Sharma makes a comeback

The Asia Cup winning Indian captain will be looking to make a comeback into this Indian team on the back of a successful tournament. India's major batting struggle in the English tour came when the lower middle order of the batting line-up failed to capitalize on the momentum which was the created by the top order and the upper middle order batsman.

With Rishabh Pant finally coming to his own, the inclusion of Rohit Sharma can be a major boost to the Indian Test side. Rohit has had an abysmal Test career thus far, but Rohit Sharma is one of those rare players that every team will look to have in their side.

There are strong reports emerging that supports Rohit's inclusion in the Test squad against Windies. Rohit can also be a backup opener if the things go south in the opening department. He will be looking to make most of this opportunity.