Nottingham, Aug 3: The toughest four months of Virat Kohli’s eventful leadership career start here on Wednesday when his strategic acumen will be tested while selecting a perfect Indian combination to take on a good England side in the first Test of a five-match series.
On Wednesday, Kohli will have to think about the balance of his squad with a long tail, often bushy with runs, and just two openers – one untested (Rohit Sharma) but very capable and another supremely talented (KL Rahul) but highly reluctant starter.
Rahul, with 2000 plus Test runs, looks a logical choice to partner Rohit after Mayank Agarwal’s concussion but the lack of Hardik Pandya and the utility of two specialist spinners does come into the question.
Hanuma Vihari, the team’s ‘All-Purpose Player’, who had once faced the new ball in Australia is another option.
His handy off-spin, along with that of automatic choice Ravichandran Ashwin, could also pave the way for Shardul Thakur’s entry as the bowling all-rounder in place of an experienced Ravindra Jadeja.
Mohammed Shami is still a wily customer and Ishant Sharma still possesses a big heart but they are ageing. Jasprit Bumrah, since his lower back stress fracture in 2019, is hardly the Test bowler one has come to know but his success in the last series may ensure a start for him.
But where does that leave India’s fastest and most in-form bowler Mohammed Siraj, whose raw pace ousted a concussed Agarwal from this Test match?
It would probably require a leap of faith from the skipper to ignore Siraj’s calibre. Kohli’s team selections in England last time left a lot to be desired as Kuldeep Yadav was picked to play on a Lord’s green top where he looked like a lamb for slaughter.
Rahul’s hundred in the last first-class game and adequate preparation time would keep him in good head space.
India have been a formidable side at home where they have demolished their opposition on spinner-friendly pitches and their lion-hearted efforts in Australia have added to the legend.
But if one looks at this team’s performance in England, India have lost 11 out of 14 Tests across the last three tours with Mahendra Singh Dhoni being captain in two of them. Kohli was a part of the 2014 team when it lost 1-3 and the then vice-captain had a torrid time with the bat.
He came back determined in 2018, scored truckloads of runs but a poor team choice at the Lord’s and one bad batting session in Southampton meant that under him, India lost 1-4. (PTI)
Match starts: 3:30 pm IST.
