India's Series Of Opportunities In South Africa

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India's series against South Africa will be one of the most important tours for Indian cricket not only because of the WTC points at stake but also because the team will undergo a transition phase during this time. 

A lot of things have happened simultaneously in the team. While there has been a Cambrian explosion of high-quality cricketers ready to play international cricket, at the same time India doesn't want to let go of their key senior players who still have some cricket left in them. 

The thing is, the key senior players, namely - Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ishant Sharma haven't been in the best of forms lately which has also led to questions being asked whenever they have an average outing. The demand of them being replaced by a 'deserving' youngster grows louder on each outing. 

It seems that the BCCI too has finally gave in from their poor run, especially Rahane's. The updated Indian squad for the South Africa tour saw Rahane's post of vice-captain being given to Rohit Sharma. 

Rahane's sacking as vice-captain means he isn't a confirmed starter in India's playing XI. BCCI have picked Shreyas Iyer, who scored a century batting at number five on test debut last month, and Hanuma Vihari, who had a successful South African tour with India A. 

Both Iyer and Vihari will be looking to grab the opportunity to play at number five if Rahane doesn't convince Rahul Dravid-led management with the bat. At the same time, India will be hoping Rahane has a good outing if he plays since he is ultimately one of India's top senior batters and any runs he scores will be worth gold against tough South African bowling and conditions. 

Cheteshwar Pujara's case is a little tricky. He has been outstanding for India in the last year despite not scoring a century since early 2019. Yet, his place will be in question due to the lack of 'big runs'. 

India's newly appointed vice-captain Rohit Sharma got ruled out of the tests. This means Mayank Agarwal will be opening with KL Rahul in tests. Rohit getting injured meant Priyank Panchal got included in the squad. 

Panchal was the India 'A' captain in the recent South African tour and had a great outing with the bat. He will be India's third opener. If and if Panchal does get a chance to play and he does well, then once again Indian management will have a headache since they have left Shubman Gill and Rohit back home. 

Back to Pujara. Several reports stated that Gill would be shifted to the middle order in future series. If Pujara once again has an average series, there is a good chance of Gill going for the spot, but at the same time, Mayank will be also eyeing that role since Rohit and KL are the first choice openers in tests. 

By the looks of it, R Ashwin will be the sole spinner in India's playing XI since Ravindra Jadeja is injured. However, it will be an important tour for Jayant Yadav. The right-arm off-spinner will be eyeing his spot in India's Test squad on regular basis, if not in the playing XI. 

Ishant Sharma, too, is facing a race against time. India's fast bowling department is filled with some high-quality youngsters and Ishant will be needing an extraordinary series to keep himself relevant. While Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are the sure-shot starters in the first test, Ishant will be fighting with Mohammad Siraj for the third pacer's spot. 

Indian cricket is undergoing an important transition phase where a lot of careers are on the line to be made or to get finished. And also, WTC points are at stake.