No beating around bush for India in renewed Test drive

Debuts to Jaiswal and Kishan make way for three crucial changes in approach for India

- Somshuvra Laha

On Wednesday, India handed debuts to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan but essentially effected three changes in how they want to operate in Tests from hereon. None of the changes were unexpected. Jaiswal has opened all his life, Shubman Gill has batted at No 3 and 4 for most of his domestic and India 'A' career, while giving Kishan the nod ahead of KS Bharat was in keeping with the template of picking a wicketkeeper batter over a specialist a preference made clear when Wriddhiman Saha was told he won't be considered any longer.

Slightly unexpected though was how the team management didn't waste time in going through with all three changes. It's understandable though, considering time isn't an ally. India next play a Test series in South Africa, in December, after the World Cup at home.

With Cheteshwar Pujara dropped and still no official word on when Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah would return from rehabilitation, this was the only tour the management could have gone through with their desired trials.

Tours of the West Indies have tended to be predictable in the last three visits. And the time difference too helps in avoiding undue scrutiny, allowing the new players time to find their feet without impeding their World Test Championship prospects.