India v New Zealand, 1st Test: India Predicted XI

India will take on New Zealand in what will be their 500th Test match at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. While this is most certainly one of the bigger occasions in Indian cricket, the Indians will most certainly be hoping to get down to business as the world number one ranking in Test cricket beckons over the horizon. While most of the players have their slots set, the interesting decisions will be on the opening partnership – whether or not Shikhar Dhawan is trusted, should Virat back Rohit Sharma, drop Cheteshwar Pujara (who showed exactly how good he is in the Duleep Trophy) and promote himself to No. 3, not his most preferred and successful batting position. With a settled squad more or less in place, it seems clear that the Predicted XI will more or less be correct. That said, we take a look at a possible XI that will lineup against the Kiwis in the upcoming India v New Zealand encounter. KL Rahul: Lokesh Rahul of India. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) The 24-year old Karnataka batsman has seamlessly slipped into life with the Indian cricket team. In spite of the presence of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul has more or less cemented his place in the Indian opening slot. His composure coupled with his batting acumen is something that has seen him blossom into perhaps the perfect opening batsman. With Shikhar Dhawan uncertain about his form and Rahul in the middle of a purple patch, it will only be fair to entrust the Karnataka boy with the opening responsibilities. New Zealand is one country that Rahul does not have a ton against and he will be hoping that he gets off the mark against what seems to be a well-drilled Kiwi side. Murali Vijay: Murali Vijay of India. (Photo by Ryan Pierse – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The 31-year old did not have the impact he quite wanted in the tour of the Caribbean after being ruled out courtesy of a finger injury. However, having done fairly well in the TNPL, Vijay will be raring to go in the series against New Zealand. Despite the fact that Vijay missed the better part of the West Indies series, he is expected to be picked ahead of Shikhar Dhawan. Moreover, the fact that his technique is rather flawless adds brownie points to his selection. Vijay at the brings a sense of stability, assurance and solidity. He is an equally skilled batsman against both pace and spin and by now knows what the team expects him to do and complements most of his batting partners. That said, Vijay will be expecting to hit the ground running in the first Test and add to the 2637 runs he boasts of in Test matches. Cheteshwar Pujara: Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) The 28-year old was on the receiving end of considerable amounts of flak following a few torrid performances in the West Indies. However, a ton and a massive 256* in the final of the Duleep Trophy meant that he did indeed retain his place in the Indian Test squad. In somewhat of a distinct similarity to Murali Vijay, Pujara also boasts of a phenomenal batting technique, something that most modern-day batsmen fail to have as a part of their game. The upcoming series will be one of resurrection as well as redemption for what has been somewhat of a torrid time for Cheteshwar Pujara. Virat Kohli (C): India captain Virat Kohli. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) The Indian skipper is one of India’s most automatic selections on the side. With age on his side and most of the achievements in his cricketing career almost complete, it seems as though Kohli will be looking to use the next few years to hone his captaincy skills. However, what will be on the Indian skipper’s mind will certainly be the world no. 1 ranking. Having been left at the altar in the West Indies, Kohli will be hoping that things do indeed change this time around. Virat as a batsman is equally crucial for the team. The man himself wants to lead by example and when his bat is talking, the tactics he implements during the game also change. He will also look to start the home season on a high since momentum plays a pretty important role in keeping the spirits high. Ajinkya Rahane: India’s Ajinkya Rahane. / AFP / Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) The Indian vice-captain may not be your archetypical batsman, but, one amazing aspect about Rahane’s game is that he is dependable. Evidence of the aforementioned statement can be found in the recently-concluded series against the West Indies. The best thing about Rahane is that he knows what he is good at and an even aspect is that he knows what his limitations are. One of those young cricketers who understand their game pretty well and that plays a characteristic part in him putting up his hand and performing more often than not when the team needs. That said, Rahane will be the rescue man of sorts if ever called upon to carry out such a role. However, whether he is able to succeed against a quality pace attack remains to be seen. Wriddhiman Saha (wk): India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha. (Photo credit DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) The 31-year old wicketkeeper-batsman seemingly came of age in the recently concluded series against the West Indies as he managed his maiden Test match ton. His glove work also was impressive as he was commended by one and all, something that will see him keep his place in the side for the next couple of years at the very least. The management pushed Ashwin up the order to reduce the pressure on the keeper and he delivered. His keeping skills will be thoroughly tested while playing at home and with three different types of spinners in the Indian bowling lineup. But this gritty man will certainly be prepared for the big challenge. Ravichandran Ashwin: Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images) The 30-year old is quite effectively the man of the moment as far as Indian cricket is concerned at the moment. Having shined with both bat and ball, Ashwin’s status as an all-rounder keeps getting more traction. His recent exploits in the West Indies saw him amass in excess of 200 runs as well as add 20 more wickets to the mountains of scalps he boasts of. The challenge as far as Ashwin is concerned at the moment is to not get carried away by his recent exploits and remain grounded. Ravi Ashwin does not boast of a century against the Kiwis and the No. 1 Test all-rounder will be hoping to use this opportunity as well as his form to help himself to a much-needed ton. Ravindra Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja.(Photo by Pankaj Nangia/India Today Group/Getty Images) The left-arm spinner had an average tour to West Indies. Where he was completely overshadowed by his spin bowling partner R Ashwin and didn’t have much to add in the cause of the team with the bat either. But Ravindra Jadeja is among those who believe in making a strong comeback. He got this opportunity to play for the India Blue team in the final of the Duleep Trophy and he just proved why he is called a big match player. Jadeja first scored 48 runs with the bat in the first inning, then came back to pick a five-wicket haul in both the innings of the game and ensured a victory for India Blue. On Indian pitches and where there is some pace off the surface, Jadeja is an even lethal bowler. He isn’t a big turner of the ball but not all batsmen can get hold of his dart-ins. Amit Mishra: Amit Mishra. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) 32-year old Amit Mishra might not have fared as well as people who would have expected him to. However, his simple ability to bowl and trouble the batsmen at will was something that saw him become an integral member of the side. Moreover, the fact of the matter remains that he is one of the favorites of incumbent Indian coach Anil Kumble. Although he has not repaid the faith yet, one can only assume that it is long overdue. That said, Mishra will be hoping that he gets the best opportunity to bowl at the vulnerable Kiwis on surfaces that suit his bowling the most. For him to be able to be effective the management needs to give him all the games in the series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images) With Ishant Sharma pulling out due to an illness, the onus will fall on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the Indian pace attack. The 26-year old made a startling comeback in the third Test in the West Indies tour and impressed with a five-wicket haul. Although Kumar has indeed performed such roles in the past, it seems somewhat clear that this role would be quite different compared to what he does for the team in the ODIs. That said, Kumar’s ability to swing the ball both ways also is something important as well as something he will strive to work on in the first Test. The Green Park wicket is expected to reverse swing given its dry nature and who better than Bhuvi to use it to the best effect. Mohammad Shami: Mohammed Shami. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) Yet another of those players who came back from injury was Mohammad Shami. However, it most certainly did not seem as though he had been absent from the squad with some wonderful bowling in the West Indies series. On Indian wickets, Shami is borderline unplayable. His amazing prowess to bowl long spells and be successful in the wickets column is also something that has taken center stage from time to time. Shami will be aiming to support the spinners in the encounter against the Kiwis as he inches ever so closer to the 100 wickets mark in Tests. He will also want to explore reverse swing once the red ball loses its shine. Also read- Ishant Sharma ruled out of the 1st Test against New Zealand

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