As selectors sit to pick the Indian team for Test series against West Indies in October, Shikhar Dhawan’s form and an injury update on Ravichandran Ashwin will be on the top of the agenda. Also, Ishant Sharma’s niggle in the ankle will be the major talking points. India will be playing a two-match Test series against West Indies, starting October 6. India vs West Indies: Karun Nair to Lead Board President’s XI in Warm-Up Match at Vadodara From September 29.

Skipper Virat Kohli is likely to make a comeback after a deserved rest during India’s campaign at Asia Cup. The middle order picks for itself with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane seeming to be certainties.

A headache for the selectors would be filling the openers’ slots in the squad. KL Rahul has all but finalised his spot as an opener after a gritty century in the fourth innings at The Oval against England in the fifth Test match. India to Play First Test Against West Indies on October 4 at Rajkot.

Shikhar Dhawan has been a walking wicket in foreign conditions in recent times. His technique and temperament during the recently concluded Test series in England were only glimpses of his weakness outside the off stump.

As for Murali Vijay, he returned amongst runs after he completed his successful stint in county cricket. Another option could be Rohit Sharma, who had so far been trying to find a place in the middle order. He had earlier expressed his desire to open for India in Test cricket too. West Indies Tour of India 2018 Schedule: Windies to Play 2 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20I, Check Complete Time-Table.

With KL Rahul almost a certainty, selectors could choose between Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma or Murali Vijay. Also in the contention for the position will be the young cricketers like Prithvi Shaw, and Mayank Agarwal, who has been scoring truckload of runs in the domestic circuit.

Hardik Pandya got injured in the clash against Pakistan, and since then there has been no update on the fast-bowling all-rounder. Hanuma Vihari played in his place in the fifth Test match and impressed with his hard-fought half century and picking a couple of wickets. Vihari can be selected too, given how the selectors would take this series as a practice for the Australia tour, later this year. Lucknow to Host First International Match in 24 Years: India vs West Indies to Play a T20I As Cricket Returns to the City of Nawabs!

Rishabh Pant faced a few difficulties behind the stumps in England; however, strong performances with the bat might ensure that India would pick him ahead of Dinesh Karthik.

Talking about spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will be automatic choices. However, there are four options for the third spinner slot in the squad. With Ashwin out with an injury, the selectors might give one of Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, and Yuzvendra Chahal a chance in the series. India vs West Indies: Tickets for Rajkot Test to Be Sold from September 22.

The fast bowling pool selects for itself too. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Sharma (subject to fitness) are first choice bowlers and would be included. However, the question is which young bowler, if selectors decide, will be looked ahead of the Test series.

Another question that would be troubling the selectors would be the inclusion of Karun Nair. The middle-order batsman has been on the sidelines for quite a long time now. Will he be given a fair chance to prove his mettle?

Reports have suggested that the selectors would pick the squad on September 23, i.e. Wednesday; however, it is also said that the selectors might wait till the culmination of Asia Cup 2018.

West Indies will be touring India to play two Test matches, i.e. at Rajkot (from October 4), and at Hyderabad (from October 12). Given the fact that West Indies are ranked 8 and have become a shadow of themselves in recent times, the selectors might be tempted to experiment with India’s bench strength in the series.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2018 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).