Probable Indian Test team for the West Indies series

West Indies will be touring India for 2 Test match series starting 4th October. India will be looking for answers to the questions raised during their last tour of England where they were beaten 4-1. India will be looking to have a formidable squad before the Australian tour. This time they have a great chance of defeating the Australians at their home mainly because of the absence of two-star batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, who are facing a year ban due to their involvement in the Sand-Paper Scandal in South Africa early this year.

Let us look at the squad India can have for the West Indies tour.

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#1 Openers

The Indian openers had a terrible outing against England. Shikhar Dhawan in 8 innings just scored 162 runs at an average of 20.25. Murali Vijay was given chances in the first 2 matches, where he didn't play any substantial innings. Both Vijay and Dhawan might be axed from the squad and the selectors might pick some new names. Let us look at the openers options which could be selected.

KL Rahul: Although he also didn't have a great series, in the last innings he showed his ability to play on foreign soil. His last innings will probably help him retain his place against West Indies.

Prithvi Shaw: The new batting sensation Prithvi Shaw is just 18 years old and is already knocking the doors of the Indian team. He captained the under-19 team in 2018 and took them to the trophy. In 14 first-class matches, he has scored over 1400 runs at an average of 56.72 with 7 hundred and 5 fifties. He was included in the squad for England tour but is yet to make his debut. He is the future of Indian cricket and selectors should give him a chance to showcase his abilities.

Mayank Agarwal: Mayank Agarwal has been scoring mountains of runs in the domestic circuit but still hasn't got any calls for the national side. In 43 first-class matches, he has scored 3372 runs at an average of over 50. With both Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan having terrible outings against England, it is likely that he might be selected for the West Indies tour.

#2 Middle Order:

The Indian middle order also didn't have a great outing in England. Only Virat Kohli looked in control and was the highest run scorer of the series by a huge margin. Virat Kohli should be rested as India will go for a long Australian tour after the West Indies series. Considering that, let us look at the viable options for the middle order position.

Cheteswar Pujara: He did play some good innings in England but couldn't manage a great series. In 8 innings he scored 278 runs at an average of 39.71. He will be looking to get some runs under his belt before the Australian tour.

Ajinkya Rahane: Rahane didn't look at his best in England. In 10 innings he scored just 257 at an average of 25.7. If Virat is rested for the West Indies series he will be leading the Indian side. He will want to regain his form back before the Australian series.

Hanuma Vihari: Vihari was given a chance in the last Test match against England in which he scored a fifty in the first innings. Although he was unlucky in the first innings, he did show grit and application. He is likely to get another chance against West Indies.

Karun Nair: Karun Nair, the only other Indian other than Virender Sehwag to score a triple hundred, has not been very consistent and hence not able to retain his position in the side. He has been in and out many times. In first-class matches, he averages over 50 and has been a consistent run scorer. If Virat is rested he might get a chance to play in the side.

#3 Wicket Keeper:

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Rishabh Pant: Rishab Pant's final innings in the England tour will give him a place in the West Indies series. The way Rahul and he batted on the fifth day raised hopes of an improbable win, which was remarkable. The other options for the wicket-keeper's slot are Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel. However, Pant is likely to be the first-choice keeper in the absence of Wriddhiman Saha.

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#4 All Rounders:

Hardik Pandya: He picked up his maiden fifer in the last series and it was the only match which India managed to win. In the previous series, he scored just 164 runs in 8 innings at an average of 23.43. In the last match, India played an extra batsman in his place. It will be interesting to see what is the way forward regarding Hardik Pandya, who has been criticized for his inability to strike constantly. Will India go for just 4 bowlers on the overseas tour of Australia or play an all-rounder as well? But his selection will depend on his fitness after he was injured during the clash with Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

Ravindra Jadeja: In the last series he got the chance to play only one Test match and he scored 86* in the first innings. He is exceptional in sub-continent conditions but hasn't been able to deliver similar performances with the ball overseas. He is currently ranked 2nd on the Test all-rounders list. With the West Indies tour happening in India, he will definitely make it to the squad.

#4 Spinners:

Ravichandran Ashwin: He didn't have a great England series and picked just 11 wickets in 4 matches. In the 4th Test when Moeen Ali took 9 wickets, Ashwin wasn't able to impress much. He was also not a hundred percent fit in the series. If he is fit he will be back in the squad as the number 1 spinner owing to his impeccable record in the subcontinent.

Kuldeep Yadav: He just played one Test match against England and had a terrible outing. He has been a consistent performer in the limited overs though and is India's strike bowler in the middle overs. He will be a backup spinner in the squad and if Ashwin is not fit he will make it to the eleven.

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#5 Seamers

Ishant Sharma: He was the second highest wicket-taker in the England series after James Anderson and he would be an obvious choice for the Test series.

Jasprit Bumrah: He bowled really well in the last series. In just 3 matches he picked up 14 wickets. He is currently one of the best bowlers in the world across all formats.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: He missed England's tour because of injury. He was dearly missed in England not only because of his bowling but also due to his ability to add some crucial runs down the order. Since he is fully fit now he should be back in the squad.

Mohammad Shami: He had a decent series against England. In some Test matches, he bowled an excellent line and length but was unlucky while he looked off-color in some others. He took 16 wickets in 5 matches in the last series and will be looking to improve his performance against West Indies.

Umesh Yadav: He played just one match and didn't look at his best and was dropped from the playing eleven.But he is a Kohli favourite and he will be looking to impress the selectors before the Australian tour.