The Indian skipper has become the de-facto face of the Test team, having stamped his authority with a pristine series in last year, where he plundered 754 runs in five Tests, including a double hundred to go with three tons, at an average of 65.56. He backed that up with a 129 not out and a 50 vs West Indies late last year besides scoring 126 recently vs Afghanistan in June.
Ravindra Jadeja
The veteran of 89 Tests is inarguably the best all-rounder in world cricket currently, and has been one of the most consistent performers for with both bat and ball — he averages 63.66 with the bat in his last 10 Tests, while his bowling average since January 2024 in Asia is 22.51. In a team going through transition, his prowess in both disciplines makes him a crucial cog in the Gill-led Test side.
Rishabh Pant
While the attack-minded wicketkeeper has faltered in white-ball cricket of late, the same cannot be said of his red-ball form. Since his return in September 2024 from a near-fatal car crash, Pant has averaged 42.86 with the bat. While critics may bemoan his lack of application at times, his ability to take on bowling attacks can damage the opposition’s morale while also taking the pressure off his own teammates.
The strivers…
Washington Sundar
The off-spin bowling all-rounder seemed a ready-made replacement for , but despite some impressive knocks with the bat, his bowling has left much to be desired (16 wickets in his last 10 Tests at an average of 38.37), as he lacks the consistency and guile of his predecessor. With a like-for-like replacement in Saransh Jain, also part of the squad in Sri Lanka, Sundar needs to step up soon to hold on to his Test spot.
Prasidh Krishna
The tall right-arm quick has taken 11 wickets in his last two Tests to bring his average down to a more respectable 31.96, but it’s his lack of control that’s an issue, leaking plenty of runs and releasing pressure off the opposition. In the absence of injured , this is Krishna’s best chance to stake a claim for the third seamer’s slot, with the likes of Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi breathing down his neck.
Devdutt Padikkal
It is harsh to term the southpaw a struggler since he has only played two Tests. However, having come into the series as the second-choice for the No. 3 slot behind , Padikkal has done well, scoring 142 not out in the practice match before the series. He will continue to be under pressure to make this spot his own though and prove that he can carry his domestic form (543 runs in his last 6 Ranji Trophy matches at 60.33) in the international arena.