Selection to the Indian Cricket Team is an offbeat ballgame at the moment. A few decades ago, it was all about the Ranji Trophy and the List A games. Fresh faces used to come into the squad, and if they did well, they were integrated into the team. Of course, the proven talents used to get a long rope, and there was a place for the U19 cricketers as well.
However, things have changed now. While Ranji Trophy is still a criterion, IPL has overtaken it by a mile. While that’s okay for the shorter formats, even the longer format is using IPL as the standard. Of course, it has worked well for India in recent years. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya donned the white jersey because of this. However, if IPL was not there, the Indian Test Team would have had a different look. Here is what it would have resembled like:
Openers: Mayank Agarwal and Priyank Panchal
Mayank is a member of the current Indian Test Team. For a few years, the Karnataka lad topped the charts in the domestic circuit and got his prize later on. He has now extended his wings to the other formats as well. He would have opened the innings if it was all about the Ranji Trophy.
Partnering Mayank would be the lesser-known Priyank Panchal. The 30-year-old might be in underwhelming form now, but a few seasons ago, he was in top form. He did not get a chance then with India. However, had he got his due, things could have been different now.
Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Sheldon Jackson (WK), and Hanuma Vihari
Both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara came through the Ranji Trophy to get their chances in the Indian Team. For Virat, it was slightly different. He arrived as a U19 prodigy and then did well within the squad to establish himself. Of course, he has good Ranji records, but there are better record-holders than him.
Forever, Sheldon Jackson is playing well in Ranji Trophy. A wicket-keeper batsman, if Ranji was the sole criterion, the Saurashtra man would have definitely got his opportunity. Hanuma Vihari was also brilliant in Ranji, and he is, therefore, present in the Indian squad now.
All-Rounders: Jalaj Saxena
This man is one of the unluckiest cricketers in India. The country has always looked for all-rounders, and despite this, Jalaj Saxena never got his chance. His form, even now, is impeccable, and unfortunately, for him, even IPL has not given an opening. However, there is no giving up in this sport, and hopefully, Jalaj maintains his form.
Bowlers: Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini
For the bowling attack, we have D Jadeja from Saurashtra to lead the spin-bowling department. He has done well in recent years and has been one of the highest wicket-takers. Jadeja can also contribute a little with the bat.
In the pace unit, Jaydev Unadkat will be the leader. He is leadership material, and people judge him wrongly based on IPL form. Both Siraj and Saini have been prolific wicket-takers in Ranji and will partner Unadkat in this department.
