India must figure out their bowling attack ahead of 1st Test against South Africa at Mohali

India have picked three spinners, four pacers, and a seaming all-rounder for the upcoming four-match Test series against South Africa starting November 5. The attack will bear quite a different look to the sorry affair of India’s bowling during the One-Day International (ODI) series. Test skipper Virat Kohli said ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka that he was keen on playing five bowlers in order to have the best chance of taking 20 wickets. While the Sri Lankan batting was far from impressive against the Indian bowling, South Africa are a far more dangerous prospect. READ: India pick solid but expected squad for first 2 Tests against South Africa

It is almost sure that India will continue with the five-bowler strategy, which means either one of Stuart Binny or Ravindra Jadeja will play. Given Jadeja’s form in Ranji Trophy 2015-16 — he took five-wicket hauls in six consecutive innings — he is almost a certainty in the playing XI. Though Binny bowled quite well in the Test series in Sri Lanka, it seems unlikely that he will feature in the line-up for first Test at Mohali. Meanwhile, India’s best bowler across formats, Ravichandran Ashwin, will undoubtedly play if fit. He recently said that he was well on his way to recovery, and will hopefully recover completely in time for the Test series. On the other hand, Ishant Sharma has been in good nick as well, and will continue to spearhead the pace attack. However, because of the ICC ban he was slapped with, in Sri Lanka, he will miss the Mohali Test. This leaves a couple of spots up for grabs.

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Given that Mohali has traditionally been a track that favours pacers, India might consider a three-pronged pace attack. This could mean Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron are likely to play. However, India will not want to write off playing three spinners, especially given the poor recent form of Bhuvneshwar and the abysmal record of Aaron. Added to that is the fact that Amit Mishra took five wickets on Test debut at Mohali seven years ago. READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s opportunity to silence critics for good in India-South Africa Test series

Mishra bowled well against South Africa in the ODI series and was outstanding in the Test series in Sri Lanka in August. If India opt to go in with three spinners that would mean that three slots are taken up — Jadeja, Ashwin and Mishra. However, with Mishra embroiled in a controversy at present it is yet unconfirmed whether or not he will feature in India’s playing XI. Ishant’s absence will mean that erratic but wicket-taking Umesh will play, but given Bhuvneshwar’s lacklustre form and Aaron’s propensity to go for runs India will be worried about their new ball bowling. It should be kept in mind that Kohli, in his brief career as captain, has usually preferred an extra pacer to a spinner. If he does go in with three spinners, it will be interesting to see how he utilises them.

India do not have the most potent bowling attack in the world, but in familiar Indian conditions Ashwin will be more than handful. If they can be backed up well by Umesh, Bhuvneshwar, Jadeja, and Mishra, the Proteas could find life difficult. It will be fascinating to see how AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and co. cope with a relatively better Indian bowling attack from the ODI series. However, India will be plagued with the absence of Ishant and will hope that other pacers do not let the team down in his absence. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: Is this Proteas side the weakest ever to tour India?

(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)