3 Indian players who have sealed their spots in the Test XI for the time being

The recently concluded Test series against South Africa not only showcased the Indians' dominance, but also clearly established their bench strength. Virat Kohli and Co have been making definite progress with every series over the past three years, especially in the longer format; their batting solidity and potency of the bowling attack are there for everyone to see.

The progress of a team would naturally be accompanied by a few players going under the axe, along with the rise of a few others. The recently concluded series saw the rise of a couple of fallen stars and also the bloom of a couple of newbies who were on the cusp of greatness.

It is a good time for the Indian team on a whole as all these things are happening right at the start of the Test Championship. On that note let us look at three Indian players who proved their worth in the South Africa series, thereby sealing their spots in the often-changing Indian Test playing XI.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

The classy Indian opener in the shorter formats was given the chance to open in Tests for the first time against the Proteas in the recently concluded series. And Rohit Sharma grabbed the chance with both hands, scoring a century in each innings in the very first Test and a double hundred in his 4th innings as a Test opener.

A longer rope in the Test side was long overdue for the prolific batsman, as he has never played more than five Test matches consecutively till date. But when opportunity came knocking on the door, he carried his World Cup form to Tests as well.

Rohit ended up as the man of the series for accumulating 529 runs in 4 innings while averaging above 132, thereby proving his mettle and sealing his opening spot at least for the time being.

Also see – Mzansi schedule

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin

It was a shocker for most of us when the Tamil Nadu spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t picked in the playing XI during the test matches against West Indies. That was particularly surprising considering his record against West Indies, even away from home.

But champion players need just one game to prove their worth, and that’s exactly what Ashwin did. The fallen star made it back into the Test side after almost a year but was in control right from ball one. He ended up as highest wicket-taker of the series, picking up 15 wickets in the three Tests.

Though the “Kul-Cha” duo have been excelling in the shorter formats lately, Kohli knows he can rely on Ashwin in the longest format. The veteran off-spinner was a class apart against South Africa, and the delivery he sent down to dismiss Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was the stuff of dreams.

Also see – T10 schedule

#3 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal

The Indian Test team has had the highest number of different opening pairs compared to all other teams over the last few years. After Sehwag-Gambhir it was Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay who were doing the honors at the opening slot., but that was until 2017 when both started losing their touch.

Their exclusion paved the way for other players like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari and Prithvi Shaw. Out of those, only Agarwal has shown consistency at the top of the order right from his debut.

Shaw too started impressively but his injury and drug-related issues at the domestic circuit have kept him away from the national colors throughout this year.

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Agarwal is averaging above 55 after seven Test matches, which includes a hundred and a double hundred. His Test debut was against Australia in Australia, and he registered sparkling 50+ scores in the first innings of both the Tests he played there.

Another 50+ score against the West Indies a few weeks back made it certain that he was here to stay. Now, after a staggering 340 runs in 4 innings averaging close to 85 against the Proteas, Agarwal has sealed his opening spot alongside Rohit.