Virat Kohli’s India must change team composition to add strength against South Africa in Gandhi-Mandela Test Series 2015

Virat Kohli must tinker with the team composition to strengthen the batting line-up © Getty Images (File photo)

The Indian cricket team stuck to the plan of playing five bowlers on a spin-friendly deck at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali, and sorely missed an additional batsman in their ranks as the others struggled. Dean Elgar ran riot of sorts, and South Africa never needed their two specialist spinners to restrict India. Trailing by 173 runs behind at stumps on Day One, South Africa need at least two batsmen to drop anchor to at least get close to India’s first-innings total. If this happens, India will definitely rue not having an extra batsman, provided their spinners also flop on the second day. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test at Mohali

India began their bowling attack with Ravichandran Ashwin right away, with their pacers Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron not creating any impact with the new ball. There are not much hopes pinned on them either. The match will depend heavily on how the Indian spinners bowl in particular, as all eyes would be on them to deliver a victory for India. Keeping this in mind, it becomes imperative for India to have a relook at the team composition, as an extra batsman could be beneficial for Indian cricket team. ALSO READ: South Africa stutter in reply to India's paltry 201 on Day 1 of 1st Test at Mohali

Shikhar Dhawan’s form has been a concern, but he is expected to be given a long rope to make amends. The form of Virat Kohli has not been great either; it will be beneficial if India add one more batsman to their lineup rather than playing with only five specialists, out of which two are struggling. Cricket Blog & Updates India vs South Africa 2015, 1st Test at Mohali, Day 1

Having two pace bowlers will not add as much as value to the bowling attack as the reliance is completely on the spinners. And then, neither Umesh nor Aaron fall in the category of ‘match-winners’. The pitch for the first Test is turning out a paradise for spinners; looking at how India’s batting responded to the part-time spin of Elgar on the opening day of this four-Test series, it will be wise to have an extra batsman instead of having the second pacer who is neither impactful nor required. Having an additional batsman will not only provide them depth but will also take pressure off the five specialist batsmen who carry the burden of making all the runs.

In 2004, when India registered a miraculous win at Mumbai against Australia, the team had one pacer in Zaheer Khan and three spinners in Anil Kumble, Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh. This combination not only worked for India, but also gave them an opportunity to load their side with batsmen — India’s core strength.

South Africa have proved time and again that irrespective of the nature of the track, they have it in them to trouble India. The way their spinners bowled on Day One proved that India will not have an easy road ahead, more so with the form of Dhawan and Kohli being a little bit of concern. It will be a relief if there is an extra batsman who can chip in with the ball as well whenever needed.

The idea of aggression is indeed alluring, but it must be kept in mind that the team composition should not leave any loophole. The frailties of the lower order have been exposed time and again. It will also not be fair to expect runs from Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra. They should be allowed to concentrate on their core strength and targets, whereas batsmen should bear the burden of scoring all the runs and holding fort whenever needed.

(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)