Alongside being crowned T20 Champions, India are also in the quest for not only the Champions Trophy that is to take place in Pakistan in the coming year, which will feature the senior pros, but also the WTC final, which will be in sight for India’s veteran players and new head coach Gautam Gambhir.
India have been a constant participant in the World Test Championship; they have played in both the finals in 2021 and 2023, and next they will have their sights on the 2025 WTC final, which is scheduled to be played at Lord’s. Despite participation, India, led by Kohli in 2021 and Rohit in 2023, lost the consecutive finals to first New Zealand and next Australia.
Gautam Gambhir, the new Indian coach after his appointment, made a clear indication that Rohit and Virat, both Indian veterans, still have a lot of cricket to play, which solely depends on their fitness. Hence, Rohit, who is nearing his 40’s, is not likely to make it to the next WTC final; hence, this might be his final dig at the Test Championship if India makes it to Lord’s.
5 Players who are likely to make a spot in the Team India Test squad for the Bangladesh and New Zealand home series, followed by the Border Gavaskar Trophy to be held in November on Aussie soil. India also look to be in sight of the third consecutive victory on Australian soil in the longest format of the game.
5 Players who are likely to make a spot in the Team India Test squad
Arshdeep Singh
India’s sole left-arm pacer, who was their star in the T20 World Cup, which was held in the United States, will also be seen as an option by the Indian selectors for the longest format of the game.
India’s highest wicket-taker in T20s, and considered one of the highest prospects for India in the near future, can be seen in the longer format under Gambhir, as the lanky pacer has a good bouncer and can swing the ball on both sides.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad can be considered one of the batters who can be used to strengthen the Indian middle-order. Though Rohit and Jaiswal will be seen as India openers, Gaikwad can be an ideal replacement behind Shubman Gill, who has often underperformed at No. 3.
The Mumbai batter has scored many runs in first-class cricket for Mumbai, and he has been relentless in the domestic circle with hopes of taking his form to the international level.
Tilak Verma
Verma is seen playing for the Hyderabad cricket team in the Ranji Trophy. The left-handed batter is a very good option in the middle order, as he can be set as the backup of young Indian player Shreyas Iyer, who is often seen playing the role of Rahane, the veteran test batter.
With the return of Rishabh Pant, he will likely be the wicketkeeper batter in the side, with Dhruv Jurel being the option alongside him for the role.
Washington Sundar
Sundar, who has played tests for India before, was also seen as quite engaging a batter for the Indian side. Sundar, who is an often all-rounder, might have his chances to be back at the Indian team.
Sundar has been picked up across white-ball formats, and with Gambhir having expressed his previous concerns over Ravi Ashwin, there might be chances that Washington replaces him from the Indian test side.
Sanju Samson
With India needs a middle-order batsman, Sanju Samson who has been skipper of the Kerela side for years long in the Ranji Trophy. Samson who has often not been picked for the Starting XI but has remained in the squad, can now be seen in the longest format of the game as well.
India and Gambhir might look to have him in the longest format of the game, as he can be another ideal middle order batting option.
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