Who Could Be India’s Next No 3 In Tests?
India dropped both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane post India’s Test series loss in South Africa. It was seen as a move in the right direction as the team wanted to groom youngsters into the team. Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer played at number 3 and number 5 respectively in the home series against Sri Lanka. The series was played on some treacherous wickets rendering batters helpless. Not a lot could be made from that series. Let us look at Who Could Be India’s Next No 3 In Tests?
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The giant U-turn:
Pujara who was dropped from the Test side in January 2021 went on to play county cricket during the IPL. He had a prolific run in the county games forcing his way back into the national side. Pujara was conveniently slotted in at number 3 at the expense of Hanuma Vihari for the one-off Test against England.
His continued tryst at number 3:
He continued in this position for the series against Bangladesh wherein he scored a century and also in the BGT series against Australia. Ahead of the WTC Final, Pujara was the lone man from the squad who had extensive experience of the conditions. He had a terrific run leading Sussex in the county games making the fans believe that he would be the saviour for India in the finals.
The disappointment of the WTC Final:
But it was Pujara’s dismissals in both innings that hurt the Indian side and fans the most. In the second innings, he got out playing an attempted uppercut. His dismissal put the game firmly in Australia’s favour. Pujara isn’t getting any younger and time might have finally run out for the gritty cricketer.
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We look at who could potentially be India’s next number 3 in Tests:
#5 Tilak Varma
He is another one from MI’s factory of next-generation stars. Tilak Varma is supremely confident in his abilities so early in his career. He has a fine game against both pace and spin. Varma appears calm and composed in high-pressure situations. He averages around 40 in first-class cricket but his List-A record is terrific. Varma might be a left-field choice but surely one that is worth a gamble.
#4 Rajat Patidar
The year 2022 provided a big break for Rajat Patidar. Walking in as a replacement he made the number 3 spot his own at RCB in IPL 2022. He became the first uncapped player to smash a century in the playoffs. Patidar continued his stupendous form in domestic cricket. He averages 45.72 after having played 52 FC games. Patidar is a natural striker of the ball. He could be given the responsibility to bat at number 3 in Tests.
#3 B. Sai Sudarshan
He hasn’t played a lot of first-class cricket but has shown immense potential already. B. Sai Sudarshan showed his mettle to the world in the IPL finals. Ravichandran Ashwin, a Test legend had himself vouched for this boy’s talent. Sudarshan’s determination will keep in good stead for the rigours of Test cricket. He could be another choice for the team at number 3.
#2 Ruturaj Gaikwad
He is one of the highly-rated players in the domestic circuit. Gaikwad has been part of the side in the white ball formats but he is yet to represent India in the longest format of the game. He has a good average of 42.19 in first-class cricket while his List A record is outstanding. Gaikwad has a strong temperament. He is someone who could be groomed into the side right away.
#1 Yashasvi Jaiswal
If there is one batsman who has made all the right noises in the last couple of months then it is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The left-hander had a standout IPL season wherein he scored the league’s all-time fastest fifty. He showed an appetite for big runs in almost all games. Jaiswal is good against pace and better against spin.
He averages a mind-boggling 80.21 in 15 FC games scoring 9 centuries. Jaiswal looks ready for international cricket. He has the makings of a top player who could serve India well at the number 3 spot.
