WI Tests: Rest likely for Shami; debate on Pujara

India's tour of the West Indies will be their first series in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle but the selection panel is unlikely to make wholesale changes. Cricbuzz learns that only a couple of players are set to be rested or dropped, and importantly, Rohit Sharma is set to continue as India's Test captain in the foreseeable future.

"Every Test is important, and its result contributes to the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. We cannot experiment in a Test match," explained a source regarding the reluctance to initiate a complete overhaul.

Four out of the top five batsmen - Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane - are certain to retain their places in the squad for the two Test matches in Dominica and Trinidad, but a question mark hangs over Cheteshwar Pujara.

There will likely be discussions regarding India's longstanding No. 3, who has scored only one century in 52 innings (28 Tests) since 2020 at a disappointing average of 29.69. While he has registered 11 half-centuries, his average further drops to 26.31 when his scores of 90 and 102* in the Chittagong Test in December 2022 are excluded.

His shot selection, and not just in the WTC final, could also be subject to discussion. It is not yet confirmed if the 35-year-old veteran, with 103 Tests under his belt, will be left out of the squad but his position in the side is far from tenable. Even if he makes the squad, there's no guarantee that he will make the Playing XI. In the scenario where he is not considered, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be the one to replace him at No. 3.

In addition to the deliberations surrounding Pujara's position, the selectors are likely to consider resting Mohammed Shami. There is a perception that the Indian spearhead has been overworked, bowling continuously since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He also played in 17 IPL games, the maximum one can play in a season, before the WTC final. However, the veteran fast bowler may return for the ODIs that follow the two Tests in view of the World Cup later this year.

Mohammed Siraj has also shouldered a heavy workload recently, and discussions are likely around him too. As one of the most improved pacers of late, Siraj may travel with the squad but could be used sparingly to ensure he is in good shape for the limited-overs assignments later in the year, such as the Asia Cup and the World Cup.

Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik are likely to be included in the squad too. The latter, who could find a place in only 8 out of 14 games this season for SunRisers Hyderabad, will receive a national recall, although it is unclear whether he will be considered for Tests, ODIs and/or T20Is.

KS Bharat, the wicketkeeper from Andhra, may retain his position in the Test squad despite his less-than-impressive performance with the bat at the Oval. However, Sanju Samson, highly regarded for his abilities if not for consistency, may make a comeback in the ODI and T20I squads alongside Ishan Kishan. The squad for the five T20Is will be without the seniors and will be led by Hardik Pandya, as usual.