Indian Cricket Team for Test Matches

The teams will take a new look as shorter version of the game gives way to traditional test matches. The test matches had been interesting, of late, and had produced some excellent nail biting finishes. The recent India-Australia series, Australia-South Africa series and West Indies-England cricket series were really good. Going along these lines, we should have an interesting series ahead.

The Indian team for the test series will have some of the seniors coming back to replace one-day/ T20 specialists. The Indian team is as follows:

1. Virender Sehwag
2. Gautam Gambhir
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. VVS Laxman
6. Yuvraj Singh
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain and wicket-keeper)
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. Zaheer Khan
10. Ishant Sharma
11. Munaf Patel

The Batsmen
It is certain that Sehwag and Gambhir will open the innings. The No. 3, 4 & 5 are assured places for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. Yuvraj Singh is most likely to fill in as the sixth batsman, unless Dhoni decides to play five specialist bowlers.

The Bowlers
Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma are three bowlers who will be automatic selections. The only place that might be up for discussion will the last bowler slot. It will be a fight between Munaf Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Amit Mishra. It is unlikely that India will be playing two spinners in New Zealand. I personally feel that Munaf Patel might just make it, even though I prefer to try out Dhawal Kulkarni.

Reserve Players
The other players including M. Vijay (reserve opening batsman), Dinesh Karthik (reserve wicket-keeper) and Amit Mishra (reserve spinner) have to wait unless someone is not able to play.

The first test match is scheduled to be played from March 18 to March 22 at Hamilton.