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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Will India drop Karun Nair for Bangladesh Test?

Will India drop Karun Nair for Bangladesh Test?

By Harish Kotian
February 07, 2017 08:23 IST
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Will India bring in Ajinkya Rahane in place of Karun Nair who scored a triple century in the fifth Test against England in Chennai?
Will Jayant Yadav make the cut ahead of Hardik Pandya?
Don the selector's hat and pick India's playing eleven for the one off Test against Bangladesh, which begins in Hyderabad on Thursday, February 9.

Karun Nair

IMAGE: Karun Nair celebrates his century during the Chennai Test. Photograph: BCCI

The high flying Indians will look to continue their winning run when they take on Bangladesh in a one off Test, starting in Hyderabad, on Thursday.

Virat Kohli's side has been on a roll in the last 18 months, winning five back to back series -- including in Sri Lanka, followed by victories against South Africa at home, the West Indies in the Caribbean, then New Zealand and England at home.

Despite injuries to some key players, India streamrolled England 4-0 in the five Test series to rightly sit at the top of the ICC Test rankings.

India would do well not to take Bangladesh, the World No 9 Test team, lightly.

The visitors are likely to revel in the spin friendly conditions in India, having been groomed in similar conditions at home.

Armed with a battery of spinners and some gutsy batsmen in their line-up, Bangladesh, who are playing a Test for the first time ever in India, could prove to be the proverbial banana skin for the hosts.

The Indians have a few headaches when it comes to selecting their playing eleven from their 16 member squad.

The return of Ajinkya Rahane, Jayant Yadav and Hardik Pandya from injury will make it a tough call for Captain Kohli and Coach Anil Kumble.

It would be a huge shock if Karun Nair is left out after his triple ton against England, only the third time an Indian has achieved that landmark.

Rahane may get the nod as a reward for his consistency over the last few seasons. The Mumbai batsman is one of Kohli's go-to players in Test cricket.

If India decide to play both Jinx Rahane and Karun Nair, they will need to sacrifice a bowler. Kohli prefers five bowlers in his playing side, so trust the skipper to choose between these two middle-order bastmen.

Hardik and Jayant will vie for the all-rounder's slot, depending on the conditions.

While Jayant proved his pedigree with both bat and ball during the England series, Pandya is a handy fast bowling all-rounder and could feature as the third seamer.

Umesh Yadav is a definite starter after his fine showing against England and it remains to be seen whether Ishant Sharma or Bhuvneshwar Kumar share the new ball with him.

Who do you think should feature in India's playing 11 for the Hyderabad Test?

Should India play three spinners?

Should Hardik Pandya get the nod?

Help Kohli and Kumble pick the Indian team for the Test.

Please click the boxes below to select your India team for the Hyderabad Test:

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Harish Kotian / Rediff.com

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