India vs Afghanistan: Four test match newbies who need to fight for their spots in the eleven

3) Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur

Thakur, who has represented India in seven T20I matches and three ODIs is yet to make his Test debut. He was a part of the Indian squad that convincingly won the ODI series in South Africa earlier this year and was also in the Indian squad for the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka. He was excellent for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL, picking up 16 wickets in 13 games.

But the Test cricket is a different ball game and Thakur has to fight for his spot in the eleven. Thakur perceived more as a good limited overs bowler might get the nod only if the management decides to play with five bowlers, which looks unlikely given the Indian pitch conditions.