India v New Zealand: India's predicted Test squad

With the arduous India v New Zealand series looming over the horizon, the Indian selectors are in somewhat of a conundrum. As far as Anil Kumble and the rest of his coaching staff would be concerned, this is a good conundrum with the selectors flooded with talent to pick on the side. With many players making it big in the Duleep Trophy, it is clear that some of them certainly do have a chance of having a crack in the upcoming tour. That said, we take a look at the preliminary squad the India selectors could pick for the tour. The series is set to begin on the 22nd of September. They will play a three-match Test series and a five-match ODI series as well. Openers: (Photo Source: Getty Images) KL Rahul; Gautam Gambhir; Shikhar Dhawan In the West Indies, the Indians had a similar issue with their opening batsmen. The first Test saw Murali Vijay get injured and KL Rahul take his place. However, Rahul’s terrific performance ensured that he would stay in the side ahead of Vijay. The 32-year old Vijay is currently playing in the TNPL, where his side is making waves. However, with the likes of Rahul performing at his best, it is highly unlikely that Rahul will be dropped. Shikhar Dhawan will be a mainstay as he has been in the side thus far. However, it is also highly likely that 34-year old Gautam Gambhir will get a second bite at the cherry in the international cricketing arena. Having been dropped due to adverse form, Gambhir may have just made a case for himself in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. However, whether this happens or not remains to be seen. The surprise will be whether the Indian selectors choose to leave Murali Vijay out. Middle order: (Photo Source: Getty Images) Virat Kohli; Ajinkya Rahane; Cheteshwar Pujara; Rohit Sharma The middle order will consist of the similar nucleus that toured the West Indies. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane are automatic selections in the side, especially being the captain and vice-captain respectively. Kohli will be hoping that they can carry the same form they showed in the recently concluded West Indies tour. In spite of being on the receiving end of a considerable amount of flak, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rohit Sharma is expected to retain their respective places in the squad. While Pujara has gone ahead and proved his mettle in the Duleep Trophy with a wonderfully compiled 166, Rohit will be hoping to get the same opportunity in the final of the tournament. All-Rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images) Ravichandran Ashwin Ravi Ashwin is once again set to reprise his role as India’s premier all-rounder. Having been promoted up the batting order in the tour of the West Indies, Ashwin smashed twin centuries as well as concluded the series as the highest wicket taker as well. With many expecting Ashwin’s batting to blossom in the years to come, it is clear that he will be the balancing force in the Indian side. In the context of the upcoming series against New Zealand, Ashwin will be hoping to better his existing record against the Kiwis in the upcoming series. Moreover, he will also be hoping to nail down a place in the XI as the all-rounder despite many aiming for the role as well. The competition Ashwin has for his role is Ravi Jadeja and Stuart Binny. Both these players are expected to be dropped for the upcoming series. Wicketkeeper: India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha. (Photo credit DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) Wriddhiman Saha Wriddhiman Saha still remains to be India’s best bet when it comes to wicketkeeping. Although the likes of Naman Ojha, Parthiv Patel, and Sanju Samson have indeed graced the stage previously, Saha remains to be the best in the role at the moment. Moreover, his solidity at a batsman was showcased in the recently concluded tour of the Caribbean. Although the 31-year old does not necessarily face any competition for his current role at the moment, it seems that there might be an internal competition. KL Rahul may be only an occasional wicketkeeper, but his skill of keeping wickets has been honed and improved considerably with him playing the similar role in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pace bowlers: (Photo Source: Getty Images) Ishant Sharma; Mohammad Shami; Bhuvneshwar Kumar; Umesh Yadav; Shardul Thakur As pointed out by several pundits, the Indian pace battery has become better over the years. Moreover, with Anil Kumble taking over as the coach, the Indian pacers look somewhat invincible at the moment. Similar to the West Indies tour, it is widely expected that the Indians continue with the same five pacers who went ahead with the tour. While Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami are certain starters if not for injuries, the place for the third seamer will be fought out between the other three pacers. Shardul Thakur’s place is perhaps the only one under some sort of a doubt despite some terrific performances from the young pacer with the India ‘A’ side down under. Spin bowlers: (Photo Source: Getty Images) Amit Mishra; Kuldeep Yadav While Ravi Ashwin will lead one end of the spin bowling attack, 32-year old leg-spin bowler Amit Mishra is expected to keep his place on the side. Mishra impressed with some scintillating bowling in the Caribbean tour in spite of not being a regular in the wickets column as he is so used to being. Kuldeep Yadav will be set to replace Ravindra Jadeja as the third spinning option. Also read: Duleep Trophy 2016 Final Preview: India Blue holds all the cards While this certainly comes as a surprise for many, Kuldeep’s performances in the ongoing Duleep Trophy have been somewhat amazing. He is currently the leading wicket-taker and will also be hoping to translate the similar form should he get picked for the New Zealand series.

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India v New Zealand: India's predicted Test squad

Spin bowlers:

Amit Mishra; Kuldeep Yadav

Also read: Duleep Trophy 2016 Final Preview: India Blue holds all the cards

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