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My XI for the opening Test:
- Prithvi Shaw
- Mayank Agarwal
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Hanuma Vihari
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Navdeep Saini
- Mohammad Shami
- Jaspreet Bumrah
12th man: Shubhman Gill
Rationale:
- Prithvi Shaw has never been out of form in his career and has performed consistently this season. A long term prospect such as him needs to be given a run of 8-10 matches at a stretch. Shubhman Gill, though talented, is a converted opening batsman.
- Mayank has done enough in past test series (mostly in India) and cannot be denied an opportunity to prove that he can perform overseas in swinging conditions. If he fails here, the same can be reviewed while selecting future teams. It’s possible (though less probable as an opener) that his stronger mind compensates for his weaker foot movement.
- Vihari lends solidity and calmness. He has the game to handle the second new ball. I have been guilty, like most, of underrating him. He has done nothing wrong and along with Pujara provides the contrast needed to the stroke makers. Gill, though a future middle order batsman and an exciting prospect, will have to bide his time and create a string impression when he gets a look in against some weaker side. I’d like to see him in the ODI team though - that seems to be the best suited format for him.
- The difference between Saha’s and Pant’s wicketkeeping isn’t as stark in non-spinning conditions. And Pant’s batting is far more potent than Saha’s in SENA countries. The pace and duration of Tests will also give him a chance to get his wits back after the T20 breakdown. In my opinion, just like the equally awash-buckling Sehwag, Pant will be a more successful test cricketer than a limited overs player.
- This NZ lineup won’t have more than two left-handers. And the pitch is unlikely to offer Ashwin much turn (and Vihari can pitch in with his off-spin if needed). Jadeja can do as effective a job as Ashwin of holding one end up and giving respite to the seamers. His fielding saves 15-20 runs per innings and he can get an odd run-out even in Test matches. But more than all this, his improved batting (I feel he is a far better batsman in Tests than in ODI/T20) will be sorely needed in both cases - to shore up the innings if the specialist batsmen fail or to fast build a declarable score if they succeed.
- Navdeep Saini ahead of the ‘fresh from injury’ Ishant is a like to like substitution and a promising one too with his pace and bounce inching slightly ahead of his equally lanky senior. Ishant has better control in like and length now, but Saini seems a faster learner and has soaked in the NZ conditions enough to start ahead of Ishant. And for what it’s worth, he can swish around the bat for a quick fire 20-30 that can make a difference in low scoring games that could be expected in NZ.
- Bumrah is not in good form and one fears if his loss of nip from the pitch is permanent. Longevity is difficult with that kind of bio-mechanically taxing action. But inspite of all this, he is a trier and you have to give him a chance to surprise you after all that he has done in the last two years. Also, the other seamer Umesh Yadav hasn’t quite set the pitch on fire during the warm up game. On the contrary, he was all over the place which can be costly in low scoring games.
- Prithvi Shaw
- Mayank Agarwal
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Hanuma Vihari
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Navdeep Saini
- Mohammad Shami
- Jaspreet Bumrah
12th man: Shubhman Gill
Rationale:
- Prithvi Shaw has never been out of form in his career and has performed consistently this season. A long term prospect such as him needs to be given a run of 8-10 matches at a stretch. Shubhman Gill, though talented, is a converted opening batsman.
- Mayank has done enough in past test series (mostly in India) and cannot be denied an opportunity to prove that he can perform overseas in swinging conditions. If he fails here, the same can be reviewed while selecting future teams. It’s possible (though less probable as an opener) that his stronger mind compensates for his weaker foot movement.
- Vihari lends solidity and calmness. He has the game to handle the second new ball. I have been guilty, like most, of underrating him. He has done nothing wrong and along with Pujara provides the contrast needed to the stroke makers. Gill, though a future middle order batsman and an exciting prospect, will have to bide his time and create a string impression when he gets a look in against some weaker side. I’d like to see him in the ODI team though - that seems to be the best suited format for him.
- The difference between Saha’s and Pant’s wicketkeeping isn’t as stark in non-spinning conditions. And Pant’s batting is far more potent than Saha’s in SENA countries. The pace and duration of Tests will also give him a chance to get his wits back after the T20 breakdown. In my opinion, just like the equally awash-buckling Sehwag, Pant will be a more successful test cricketer than a limited overs player.
- This NZ lineup won’t have more than two left-handers. And the pitch is unlikely to offer Ashwin much turn (and Vihari can pitch in with his off-spin if needed). Jadeja can do as effective a job as Ashwin of holding one end up and giving respite to the seamers. His fielding saves 15-20 runs per innings and he can get an odd run-out even in Test matches. But more than all this, his improved batting (I feel he is a far better batsman in Tests than in ODI/T20) will be sorely needed in both cases - to shore up the innings if the specialist batsmen fail or to fast build a declarable score if they succeed.
- Navdeep Saini ahead of the ‘fresh from injury’ Ishant is a like to like substitution and a promising one too with his pace and bounce inching slightly ahead of his equally lanky senior. Ishant has better control in like and length now, but Saini seems a faster learner and has soaked in the NZ conditions enough to start ahead of Ishant. And for what it’s worth, he can swish around the bat for a quick fire 20-30 that can make a difference in low scoring games that could be expected in NZ.
- Bumrah is not in good form and one fears if his loss of nip from the pitch is permanent. Longevity is difficult with that kind of bio-mechanically taxing action. But inspite of all this, he is a trier and you have to give him a chance to surprise you after all that he has done in the last two years. Also, the other seamer Umesh Yadav hasn’t quite set the pitch on fire during the warm up game. On the contrary, he was all over the place which can be costly in low scoring games.
