Senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven't played too many ODIs in the last couple of years, while young Shubman Gill is still finding his feet at the top level.
An annoyed Rohit Sharma slammed the broadcaster Star Sports for showing his century in the third ODI against New Zealand was the first in "three years" as the skipper pointed out he hardly played any 50-over matches during the period.
Rishabh Pant last played a Test match in December 2022 before a serious car crash saw him sidelined for nearly two years.
India spared Bangladesh the ignominy of a follow-on but grabbed an overall lead of 308 with seven wickets in hands to seize control of the opening Test in Chennai on Friday.
Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting in Hyderabad on Wednesday, with a back injury.
Umesh Yadav or Mohit Sharma? Who had the most impact on the Gujarat Titans-Mumbai Indians game?
IMAGES from Day 2 of the first Test between India and Bangladesh, played in Chennai, on Friday.
India's emotional and epochal triumph in the just-concluded T20 World Cup found its resonance in Gen-Next stars
India are set for a T20 appetizer ahead of their marquee Test series against Australia when they face the touring New Zealand in a three-match series, beginning in Ranchi, on Friday.
IMAGES from the first Test, Day 1 between India and Bangladesh played at the Chepauk in Chennai on Thursday
India captain Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday singled out the debutant duo of Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj while commending the tremendous character shown by his side to turn it around in the second Test, in Melbourne, for a series-levelling triumph.
The Perth Test marks Bumrah's second stint as a stand-in captain, having also led his country against England in 2022, and he could not have been dealt a tougher hand.
Before the two spells of rain interrupted play, Virat Kohli and K L Rahul were batting on 8 and 17 respectively after openers Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) struck fine half-centuries.
India arrived in Bengaluru seeking a big win over the 2021 champions to improve their chances of making a third successive final in June 2025, but will now need to battle to keep alive their run of 18 straight home series victories since 2012.
Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a rapid hundred before retiring hurt as India stretched their overall lead to 322 with eight wickets in hand to take control of the third Test.
'There will be a lot of spice to the contest -- there is a reason India is the only team other than England against whom Australia is keen to play a five Test series.' 'I'll watch, as I suspect most fans will -- but this one time, I'll watch with considerable trepidation and, from a fan's point of view, with the hope that the team finds its feet and that right quick,' notes the distinguished cricket commentator Prem Panicker.
Virat Kohli booed by home fans after bumping shoulders with Konstas on the pitch after the 19-year-old smashed India's bowlers around the park early on.
India will be under tremendous pressure when they face an equally circumspect Australia in a battle of two out-of-form batting units in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth
According to PTI, the chairman of selectors, Chetan Sharma has asked the duo to regain form by playing Ranji Trophy.
Shivam Dube smashed a quickfire half-century to power India to a thumping six-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the first T20 International.
Zaheer named 16 players in his squad, with the caveat that only one player between Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill and Rajasthan Royals' opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will be selected as Rohit Sharma's opening partner.
India fight back against Australia as 17 wickets tumble on opening day
The circumstances in which he has arrived in Australia don't make Rohit a certain starter at the top of the order.
India skipper Rohit Sharma said he is not ready to lose faith in Prasidh Krishna's ability to withstand the rigours of five-day cricket despite his lacklustre debut in the opening Test against South Africa.
Rathour has played six Tests and seven ODIs and has 33 first-class centuries to his name.
'They need batters who can bat out a full session in Australia.' 'You have seniors like Pujara and Rahane, who are scoring runs in domestic cricket. They have experience of Australian conditions too.' 'They should be given a chance to make a comeback, no harm in trying especially when your batting line-up is not even lasting a full session.'
It was a proper Test innings, it was of the highest class, and given the circumstances it came in, it was one of the best innings by an Indian batsman in recent memory, applauds Prem Panicker.
Fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 in Tests...
If one looks at selection pattern, Jurel was the second keeper behind Sanju Samson for this series and Jitesh was a late entrant because of the unavailability of the World Cup squad members.
'There are lots of very talented and skilful players who are coming through the system. The only thing we need to make sure is the transition is done in a controlled manner.'
India start as the big favourites in both the white ball series and it will take a Herculean effort from Sri Lanka to upset the odds.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh?
Indian captain Rohit Sharma said five players, including in-form Shubman Gill, will not be available for selection for the third ODI against Australia, as the squad has been hit by a viral sickness.
The current Indian team up is yet to identify its core set for players with the World Cup just weeks away.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's dream season just got better as he single-handedly seized the initiative from England with a sizzling century, putting India in complete control.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Wednesday revealed that he didn't have the "inspiration" left to take the domestic cricket route for a place in the national side and that was the reason why he chose to retire from the game last month.
If the humiliation of India being able to declare their second innings on 487/6 reflected poorly on the bowling unit, it was the Australian batting line-up dismissed for 104 in their first innings that bore the brunt of the blame.
Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have enough options to choose from with selectors adding three players to the squad -- Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar and Washington Sundar.
Rishabh Pant released by DC, Heinrich Klaasen pips Virat Kohli in retention price
'...there is a process I like to follow. Sometimes you get out and sometimes it goes over the ropes. Unfortunate and sad dismissal in the end, to be honest. Like I said, those are my shots and I will keep playing them'
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