5 surprises in India's squad for Test series against Australia

The Indian selectors have picked a 19-member squad for India’s upcoming 4-match Test series against Australia Down Under. Although a majority of players selected themselves through largely strong performances in Test cricket over the last 12-18 months, there were some surprise inclusions in the squad, too. The surprise was not necessarily because the players didn’t deserve that coveted spot in the squad; it was rather because no one expected those names to come up in the first place.Here are 5 players who could perhaps consider themselves fortunate to be picked:   

#1 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina’s career seemed to be on the wane just a few months back, so much so that he even lost his spot in the ODI side for the Asia Cup earlier this year, a format he was born to ace. Nevertheless, Raina came back with a couple of match-winning performances in tight situations against England in their own backyard. The relief he brought after India’s horrendous run in the Tests ensured that he came back into the reckoning.

He credited team director Ravi Shastri for the change in India’s fortunes. He, probably, has to thank Shastri for earning a berth in the Test squad for Australia as well, after the cricketer-turned-commentator publicly backed Raina getting a recall in Test cricket after a gap of 2 years.

However, for a man terribly vulnerable against the rising ball, facing Australia, who possess Mitchell Johnson & co., could prove to be a graveyard for his Test career.