India vs Afghanistan test: 3 Indian players who will use this game to cement their place in the team

India are set to take on Afghanistan in Bengaluru in a one-off test starting June 14th, 2018. It’s a historic test match as Afghanistan will make their test debut in this game. A vastly improved, confident Afghan side will foray into the toughest form of the game.

In a very positive move made by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ireland made their test debut recently against Pakistan and pushed them really close. It was a competitive game which augers well for the test match format. This game would also give the required confidence for Afghanistan ahead of their historic test debut.

India on the other hand, ranked #1 in the test match standings would want to put on a display worthy of their standing. They are without some key players like Virat Kohli, Wridhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the only test against the tourists. They will be led by Ajinkya Rahane.

This test match is a prelude to India’s tour of England. Although the conditions would be drastically different in England, this test match would give the opportunity to some key players to cement their spot in the test team. A good, strong performance at Bengaluru could see them making it to the playing XI in England.

Looking at India’s squad to face Afghanistan in the only test, here’s looking at three players who would want to use this game to cement their place in the test team:

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KL Rahul

KL Rahul

A player who has transformed his game in recent times, KL Rahul would want to impose himself on the Afghan bowlers at his home ground. He has always been someone who has been a part of the test squad as a backup opener for Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay.

But he is capable of much more than that. He started off purely as a test match player and although his preferred spot would be the opener’s position, KL Rahul must bat in the middle-order as the team requires some stability in the lower middle order. He has got the technique and the confidence to make that position his own. Everyone could see how complete a batsman he has evolved into through his exploits in IPL 2018.

A batsman who is solid, can bat for long periods of time and also has all the shots in the book, KL Rahul is the complete deal. With their regular skipper Virat Kohli out of this test due to an injury, the team management must play him at the number 4 position coming in after Cheteshwar Pujara.

Playing on his home ground in familiar conditions against a team making their test debut, he can and should make this opportunity count. His performance must be such that the selectors opt to go for him either as an opener or use him in the middle order in the tour of England.

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has been knocking on the doors of the Indian team for many years. In the limited opportunities he has received as a wicketkeeper or just as a batsman, he hasn’t done too badly. The 2007 tour of England comes to mind where DK proved to be a pretty handy batsman in tough conditions.

With their regular wicket-keeper, Wriddhiman Saha out of this test match against Afghanistan due to injury, Dinesh Karthik has been called up as his replacement in the Indian squad. The question to be asked is will the selectors opt for him ahead of Parthiv Patel?

Parthiv Patel has had it hard as a wicket-keeper in recent times for India. His inability to read the spinners effectively has come in the radar. He may be higher in the pecking order to make it to the playing XI for this game, but on experience, skill and current form, DK must be picked.

He was very effective as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2018. His batting has transformed, and so has his confidence. Purely on wicket-keeping skill, considering there is going to be a lot of spin bowling, he must be given a look in instead of Parthiv.

This would give the selectors a fair idea as to whether Dinesh Karthik is ready for test cricket, ready to play in England or not. Having played on those conditions is an added advantage which must not be neglected.

It’s been eight years since the KKR skipper donned the gloves for India in the longest format of the game. And he averages a modest 27.78 in 23 test matches which is not the best.

It would be a tough call for the selectors to make to include him in the team, but keeping in mind the tough challenge that lies ahead for India, the management must give him an opportunity in familiar home conditions against Afghanistan rather than throw him in the playing XI against England in England.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has been a constant figure in India’s test match team over the past few years. The left arm off spinner has in combination with Ravichandran Ashwin helped in many successes for India at home.

But ever since the phenomenal rise of Hardik Pandya and his elevation into the test team, Jadeja’s position isn’t that secure anymore. He will, without a doubt, play the only test against Afghanistan as the conditions would be in his favor, but will that cement his place for the tour of England?

That’s a tricky question which could be answered in this test match. In English conditions, India would most likely go in with one frontline spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin, unless the pitch is a rank turner. So the question is how can Jadeja increase his chances of being picked over Hardik Pandya in England?

Well, the answer lies in his batting. Jadeja is in the side as a bowling all-rounder and that’s what he needs to display against Afghanistan a complete all-round performance. He has thrown away his wickets very cheaply on many occasions.

This test match against Afghanistan gives him the perfect platform to deliver with the ball, field and catch like he usually does, and also show resilience with the bat. He must go in with the mindset to bat and bat long.

If things go to plan and he does have a good all-round game, then with India’s strong fast bowling line-up Ravindra Jadeja can pip Hardik Pandya as the all-rounder for the tour of England. The stage is set, it's upto Jadeja to now grab the opportunity with both hands and cement his place in the test team irrespective of the conditions.