3 ways in which India's middle order can shape up during the Bangladesh Test series
Team India are currently in the middle of a welcome break ahead of an enthralling Test season. Rohit Sharma and company will return to the field to face off against Bangladesh later this month, after which they will face New Zealand at home and Australia away.
The first Test against Bangladesh will commence on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and the BCCI recently announced India's squad for the contest. The contingent came without many surprises, although there are a couple of unanswered questions as far as the middle order is concerned.
India’s squad for the 1st Test of the Bangladesh series: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
On that note, here are three ways in which India's middle order can shape up during the Bangladesh Test series.
#3 KL Rahul at No. 3, Shubman Gill at No. 5 or No. 6
KL Rahul has donned several hats for the Indian team over the years. He has been fairly consistent in the middle order recently, having played many crucial knocks in the ODI and Test formats.
However, Rahul's airtight technique and ability to play long innings could make him the ideal candidate to take over from Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3. Shubman Gill has been handed that role so far, but the young batter is still working out the finer parts of his game and could be more at ease lower down the order.
When India travel to Australia later this year, Rahul's calming presence at No. 3 could add solidity to the batting lineup against the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. India could start getting him settled in for that spot at the earliest, now that he isn't expected to wear the gloves.
#2 Shubman Gill at No. 3, KL Rahul at No. 5 or No. 6
If India's Test series victory against England was anything to go by, Shubman Gill has the team management's complete faith at No. 3. The 24-year-old bailed them out of trouble with the series on the line, and in the long run, he could easily morph into an all-time great in the top order.
That would mean that Rahul drops down to either No. 5 or No. 6, with Virat Kohli being locked in at No. 4. Depending upon whether India want to field the dynamic Rishabh Pant and the solid Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul could be asked to steer the lower-middle order and perhaps bat with the tail when needed.
#1 Shubman Gill at No. 3, Sarfaraz Khan at No. 5 or No. 6
Rahul isn't the only option India have for that role, though. Sarfaraz Khan is arguably a better player of spin, particularly if the team needs someone who can switch through the gears when necessary.
The recent Duleep Trophy game showcased Sarfaraz's dynamism with the bat as he stroked his way to an important second-innings knock that led his team to a win. Rahul, meanwhile, was rather circumspect, although he too managed to cross the half-century mark in the second innings.
Bangladesh are expected to field three spinners in the first Test in Chennai, and Sarfaraz, who had a decent introduction to the format earlier this year, might be in a better position to take them on. However, he might not be the best bet Down Under, so India need to weigh up their options carefully.