Opener KL Rahul's poor show with bat could pave way for Rohit Sharma's return to Indian Test set-up when selectors meet on Thursday to decide squ for two-match series against South Africa next month. White ball vice-captain Rohit, who couldn't make cut in playing XI against West Indies, is expected to be tried out as an opener after Hanuma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane sealed slot s 5 and 6 in batting order respectively. Rohit's last Test appearance for India was in away series against Australia in 2018. Cheteshwar Pujara, at .3, and skipper Virat Kohli, at .4, automatically pick mselves.

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Opener woes haunt India, Rohit likely to get chance

This has left he coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Kohli with only one option, to try an explosive player like Rohit at top of order, following 'Virender Sehwag impact model'. Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, a prolific performer at domestic and India A games, could be rewarded with a place in side as a reserve opener if selection committee decides to drop Rahul. or openers in fray are Priyank Panchal of Gujarat and Shubman Gill of Punjab. Rahul, considered a favourite of this team manment, has scored 664 runs in his last 30 Test innings, with his only table score -- 149 against England at Oval last year --, coming in a de fifth rubber.

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Will Hardik Pandya make it to Tests?

With Mayank Agarwal assured of his place, only bone of contention could be opening slot where a 15-member squ could ensure both Rohit and Easwaran make it. In case y both make it, n y might feature in India A side in two-day practice game against South Africa in Vizianagaram before first Test in Visakhapatnam on October 2. Orwise, selection will remain pretty straightforward with only Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who isn't fully fit, likely to miss out. In that case, all-rounder Hardik Pandya could be back in Test squ or else Navdeep Saini might come in as a back-up pacer. However, it remains to be seen wher Think-Tank will want Pandya to only concentrate on white-ball cricket in next 13 months keeping World Cup in focus. Test matches in India rmally feature one specialist keeper in side but Wriddhiman Saha is very much in scheme of things even though Rishabh Pant remains top choice. Ravindra Jeja, Kuldeep Yav and Ravichandran Ashwin will be three spinners while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma will be three pacers. In case Shami is rested, n Umesh Yav can come in.

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Likely Squ: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami/Umesh Yav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jeja, Kuldeep Yav

In Contention: Abhimanyu Easwaran (3rd opener), Priyank Panchal (3rd opener), Navdeep Saini (reserve pacer), Kona Bharat (2nd keeper)

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