4 Indian players whose Test careers are under threat after the Australia series

Team India completed a historic series win at the Sydney Cricket Ground as they lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a scoreline of 2-1. This was India’s first Test series triumph on Australian soil; moreover, it was the first such instance for an Asian team as well.

Had rain not rescued Australia in the fourth Test, the No. 1 ranked team may well have returned with a 3-1 result.

Indians dominated the Australian team; there is no debate about it. The trio of Bumrah-Ishant-Shami outbowled their counterparts and Cheteshwar Pujara’s gallant batting wore down the Aussies.

But while Virat Kohli’s team outplayed the opponents with their bright performances, there were a few dull spots as well.

With the Cricket World Cup 2019 coming up this year, the focus will now shift to the 50-over format. India’s next Test assignments later this year are Windies (away), South Africa (home) and Bangladesh (home).

If India don't repeat their selection mistakes, we may not see these four Indian cricketers playing Test cricket for the nation again.

#4. Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay

The Tamil Nadu opener’s selection for the Australian Test series was a desperate one. Once celebrated as India’s most dependable opener in away conditions, Murali Vijay struggled in both the South Africa and England tours.

He was dropped midway through the England series, and the chances of him returning looked bleak. But the selectors, looking at Vijay’s numbers from the 2014-15 Australia tour, chose him to partner young Prithvi Shaw.

Vijay scored a scintillating 129 in the practice match at Sydney against CA XI and seemed to have vindicated the faith of the selectors. However, his century proved to be a false alarm and he added only 49 runs in four innings of the first two Tests.

He was dropped following the modest returns and India preferred to use make-shift openers instead in the remaining matches.

At the age of 34, Vijay’s reflexes are slowing down. He is a one-format player and has missed out on playing the Indian first-class season as well. With relatively easy Test matches coming up, the selectors are likely to bank on the future prospects rather than investing in a crashing stock.

#3. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma - white-ball legend but not so in Tests

The maverick big-hitter was a surprise selection for the Australian tour. Rohit Sharma’s ticket on the plane Down Under was a result of his heroics in white-ball cricket. Also, the lack of lateral movement and extra bounce on the Australian pitches were supposed to work in Rohit’s favor.

With a 40 in the practice match, he was drafted into the middle order for the first Test at Adelaide.

Rohit walked out to bat with the team score reading 4/41. Adopting the best method he knew, the Mumbai batsman began with a counter-attack and compiled a fine 37. He then tried lofting over the square leg and his mis-hit almost carried to Marcus Harris.

But Rohit failed to learn from his mistake, and on the very next ball gifted a catch in the lap of the exact same fielder. It was a start thrown away when the team demanded it the most.

He perished for one run in the second innings.

After missing out at Perth due to back issues, Rohit returned to the side for the third Test at Melbourne. He survived a dropped catch when he was on 15, and remained 63 not out by the end of it.

In the second dig, he slashed at an outside off-stump ball to slip. He then returned to India to spend time with his new-born daughter.

Rohit batted with his usual flair, but he also batted irresponsibly. The senior batsman was supposed to cement his Test spot with a performance here but has failed to do so. He is now at the mercy of the selectors.

#2. Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel - waiting for his chances

Parthiv Patel’s prime years as a Test batsman and wicketkeeper were spent in waiting. After MS Dhoni’s retirement, he once again had to compete with the likes of Wridhhiman Saha and Dinesh Karthik.

On this tour of Australia, Parthiv remained in the reserves as Rishabh Pant grabbed the gloves.

Making the most of his opportunity, Pant impressed with his keeping skills and his batting. He was belligerent in smashing the Australian bowlers at Sydney while Parthiv looked on.

Parthiv’s best chance of making an appearance was in the third Test at Melbourne. India were searching for openers, and Parthiv averaged 53 in five Tests while opening for the nation. However, he was ignored and Hanuma Vihari was chosen instead.

The Gujarati wicketkeeper is 33 years old, and he is unlikely to be a part of the squad once Saha returns, particularly since Pant has already established himself firmly in the setup. Unless we see a few injuries, Parthiv’s Test career may not see another day.

#1. KL Rahul

KL Rahul faced severe criticism over his performance

The young Karnataka right-hander had plundered plenty of runs in the domestic circuit and was touted to make it big in Test cricket too. His first two Tests of the year in South Africa were disappointing as he returned with 30 runs from his four knocks.

Rahul enjoyed a dream IPL season in April-May, and a 54 against Afghanistan at home set him on a high for the England tour.

Alas, the high never came. Along with Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, Rahul foundered to the depths against the supreme English bowling attack in difficult conditions.

But he salvaged his position to an extent with a splendid counter-attacking 149 in the fifth Test at the Oval. As a result, Rahul was chosen by the selectors as one of three openers on the Australian tour alongside Vijay and Prithvi Shaw.

Rahul was dismissed for two in his first outing. In the second innings, he reached 44, showing glimpses of the possibilities. But at Perth, he was again exposed. Rahul registered the scores of two and zero.

He was dropped for the next Test and scored only nine at Sydney in his final opportunity.

With Shaw and Mayank Agarwal dominating the opening slots, Rahul may have to settle for the limited-overs cricket only - at least in the near future.