India will be competing against West Indies in a full-fledged series, starting later this week. The Windies team will be playing two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is against the Indian team in their month-long tour. The series provides a perfect platform for the Indian bench-strength to be tried and tested before the impending tour Down Under, later this year! Karun Nair’s Exclusion From Indian Test Squad Against West Indies Explained to Him; Says Chief Selector MSK Prasad.

A lot has been said over the team selection, since the squad was announced last week. Karun Nair’s ouster, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay being dropped, and Rohit Sharma’s continued exclusion has been the talk of the town for quite some time now. BCCI Under RTI: Office-bearers Question COA Role, Wants to Challenge CIC Verdict.

However, with much said and done, the first-leg of West Indies tour to India see a couple of Test matches take place. The Test series would be more than just two matches for a few players in the squad who’d be looking to impress the selectors and strengthen their chances for the forthcoming Australia tour.

We look at the list of players in the Indian team, who would not only be the key to victory in this series, but also how their performances will help them knock the selectors’ door for India’ Tour to Australia, in December, this year!

1. Mayank Agarwal

After becoming the highest run-scorer in Indian domestic circuit in a single season, Mayank Agarwal’s inclusion in the team is a positive signal, the selectors have sent to the youngsters!

File Image | Mayank Agarwal | (Photo Credits: Twitter @mayankcricket)

Mayank would not want to squander the limited opportunities at hand, for now. His current form will not only help India’s batting woes in the current series, but would also be a launch-pad to his Test career.

2. Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman bowler had a disastrous outing in England where he was played where the conditions favoured fast-bowling. Kuldeep Yadav was dropped from the team in the next Test and was sent packing home to play domestic cricket.

File Image | Kuldeep Yadav | (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

If given a chance in this series, Yadav would be looking to find his feet in the whites ahead of the crucial tour to Australia!

3. Prithvi Shaw

The youngster was slotted in the Indian Test squad against England too. However, Prithvi Shaw didn’t get a match to play in the series. Against the West Indies, there are all possibilities that he might get his Indian Test cap soon.

File Image | Prithvi Shaw (Photo Credits: Twitter @ICC)

With no presence of Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay or Rohit Sharma in the squad young Shaw would be striving to perform better in the absence of senior players. A lot of India’s chances would depend on how he performs in whatever position he has been assigned.

4. Ravindra Jadeja

The all-rounder has often found himself warming the benches in overseas Test matches. If Ravindra Jadeja can prove himself to be a worthy all-rounder, India can take a gamble by playing him in the first XI as an all-rounder in Australia.

File Image | Ravindra Jadeja | (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

However, keeping the current series in context, it will be Jadeja the batsman more, who will be under scrutiny.

5. Hanuma Vihari

All hell breaks loose when Hanuma Vihari was picked ahead of Karun Nair in the Test series against England. However, he repaid the faith by scoring a half-century and picking up a crucial couple of wickets in the match. If he gets picked in the team, Vihari will have to deliver stupendously, given how he has been selected over Karun Nair.

File Image | Hanuma Vihari | (Photo Credits: Twitter @ICC)

Not that Vihari hadn’t had a great domestic season to back his place in the side, but given how the less number of opportunities are on offer, at the moment, he cannot afford any slip-up.

Watch Video of India vs West Indies Series 2018 Schedule: Fixtures, Time-Table, and Venues of 2 Tests, 5 ODIs, and 3 T20Is:

The motive for the series against West Indies would mean a lot then just victory for many players. With senior players sidelined and the tour Australia not too far away, India vs West Indies Series 2018 would be an enjoyable watch for the fans.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2018 07:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).