India and Pakistan are never likely to meet in a Test in the near future. Also, India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan anytime soon. The venues in Pakistan offer flat tracks and are very assisting to the batters. On that note, here, we take a look at India’s likely playing XI if they ever play a Test match in Pakistan.
Note: We have assumed that all the players are fit and available.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C) and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Both these openers are capable of playing the long knocks. They would feast on flat tracks, especially at venues such as Multan. Hence, they are very much required in this playing XI as the openers. They also complement each other with their approaches.
Middle-Order: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan
It is a tricky situation of needing to have a longer batting line-up or four bowlers. However, bowlers hardly get anything and hence, it could be a wiser choice to have a lengthier batting line-up. Sarfaraz Khan is known to play big knocks and he would be vital on such pitches. The team could also be reliant on his spin-bowling skills.
All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin
The legendary duo will be a part of India’s likely playing XI if they ever play a Test match in Pakistan. Spinners are needed to bowl a lot at such venues. Also, batting depth is always an advantage. Therefore, there are no doubts about Jaddu & Ashwin here.
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami
India is lucky to have these two pacers who can extract something from the pitch even if there is nothing on offer. Of course, having two pacers is a workload issue on these pitches but that seems to be the only way to stay in the driver’s seat in such venues. Hence, Bumrah and Shami are in this XI.
