The Indian Test team needed some adjustment, as the World Test Championship (WTC) final demonstrated. The excellent bowling attack India has had in recent years has been one of the main reasons they have been able to compete in Tests away from home.
Some illustrious Indian Test victories included players like Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and others. The pace attack likely needed to include some new faces and new match-winners, though, as the bowling in the WTC final was inconsistent.
In light of this, let’s take a closer look at three such players who merit numerous opportunities to demonstrate their mettle in the Test team:
1 Arshdeep Singh
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is an Indian bowler who genuinely has the chance to excel in all formats.
Many questioned whether he would be able to bowl with the same control in red-ball cricket given his ability to swing the ball both ways during the T20 World Cup last year.
However, as of this writing, Arshdeep is also playing County cricket for Kent and has taken 29 wickets in just 8 first-class matches.
Arshdeep’s development as a player may be a priority for the team’s management, who may be letting him play as much County cricket as possible right now.
2. Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar is one name that is increasingly likely to make his India debut next month against the West Indies.
The Bengali pacer, who also played in the Duleep Trophy and the “A” tours, has been a reliable wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy.
Kumar did represent India in the 2023 WTC final as a standby player, but he might bowl for his nation in the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting next month.
The 29-year-old Kumar making his Test debut by displacing Umesh Yadav in the starting XI could be the first step in the transition phase, which the team management may try to start gradually.
3. Jaydev Unadkat
Veteran Indian left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat has only played in two Tests and has only taken three wickets in his entire career.
However, there was almost a 12-year gap between his two Test appearances (in 2010 and 2022), which speaks volumes about the amount of domestic cricket work Unadkat had to put in.
Last year, his perseverance earned him a call-up back into the Test setup, but the left-arm pacer has yet to receive a steady stream of opportunities.
The series against the West Indies the following month could mark the start of a deserving stretch of contests for the 31-year-old.
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