Predicting the India Test XI a Year from Now
If it were up to India right now, they would never play a Test match again. Well, at least not away from home.
It's been more than three years since India last won a series on foreign soil. Until this July, they hadn't even won a Test.
India's solitary win at Lord's against England in the summer was a false dawn as the team was mercilessly whipped in the following three Tests by Alastair Cook's men.
Their next assignment in whites is against Michael Clarke's Australia, ranked second in the world, for what are bound to be four gruelling Tests Down Under.
Between that tour and welcoming South Africa in the winter of 2015-16, India play just two Tests in Bangladesh in the summer.
It seems likely that the team would undergo a fair amount of changes until then, or will it?
Here is what we think India will look like in October next year when they host South Africa.
1. Ajinkya Rahane
After a mature performance over the last year, Ajinkya Rahane will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
A versatile batsman who can bat anywhere in the order, Rahane looks most natural at the top of the order and he takes one of the opener's slots in this team.
2. Murali Vijay
Ajinkya Rahane is joined at the top with the monk-like Murali Vijay, who is finally settling in as India's first-choice opener.
Vijay has had a successful last few months and although he stumbled in the latter half of the tour of England, he has done enough to allow India to trust him with the vital opening position for an extended period.
Vijay is more than likely to keep his place at the top of the order a year from now.
*This article was modified on October 15 to replace Robin Uthappa with Murali Vijay.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara had a poor series in England and will be under some scrutiny in Australia.
A prolific run-scorer in home conditions and someone who fared well in South Africa, his run drought in England came as a surprise.
A successful series in Australia is just what Pujara and Indian fans will be hoping for. He was supposed to be the mainstay of the middle order along with Virat Kohli and it will be a real disappointment and waste of talent if he does not live up to it.
4. Virat Kohli (c)
It wasn't a surprise that Virat Kohli was one of the major talking points of India's tour of England. The swashbuckling and aggressive batsman was always known to make the headlines. But it was the manner in which he made them that comes as a worry.
Long touted the next Indian captain, Kohli was supposed to take England by storm, but he ended up having one of his worst series in whites.
Nonetheless, we trust Kohli to make a sensational comeback and live up to his reputation soon enough, so much so that the captain's armband goes to him.
Yes, that means we're expecting MS Dhoni to have retired by now.
5. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is still struggling to come to terms with Test cricket, especially away from home, but with the next year not involving a single away Test, he should make the team in the middle order.
Sharma has a long way to go before he can replicate previous Indian No. 5s such as Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. Perhaps a sustained run in the team in home conditions will set him on his way.
6. Naman Ojha (wk)
Replacing MS Dhoni behind the sticks would be a daunting prospect for any cricketer, and the onus is on the experienced Naman Ojha.
An attacking batsman, Ojha has been playing splendidly on the domestic circuit and had a very good tour of Australia along with India A recently.
He is on the wrong side of 30, but his experience would come in handy as India get used to life without Dhoni.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
It is going to take something to get Ravindra Jadeja off the Indian team and we're not willing to take the risk, lest he comes charging at us!
The slashing all-rounder has carved quite the reputation for himself with his antics, but perhaps a bit more consistency with the bat would stand him in good stead.
On subcontinental pitches, he is a more than capable second spinning option and allows India the chance to play an extra bowler.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
India's No. 1 spin bowler is expected to keep his place in the side for sure.
Ashwin backs up as an able lower-order batsman and even has two centuries to his name. He is bound to be a vital part of the next generation of Indian cricket.
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The only bowler to play all of India's Test and one-day matches during the tour of England, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has only grown in stature with every passing game.
His deceiving swing and pinpoint accuracy is a lethal weapon in the Indian bowling armoury and Bhuvneshwar could well go on to become the leader of the attack if he maintains his consistency and fitness.
10. Varun Aaron
Tall, strong and fast, Varun Aaron has the potential of becoming a world-class pace bowler if he is maintained well by India.
Easily one of India's fastest bowlers in recent times, the team management should ensure that Aaron is not overworked and is in the right hands as a youngster.
He provided glimpses of his potential in England and has an exciting future ahead.
11. Ishant Sharma
The enigma that he is, Ishant Sharma is another player who you just cannot leave out, no matter how bad a game he has had,
Against all odds, Ishant helped India script one of their most memorable victories in recent times at Lord's in July.
He is another bowler who, at 25, still has the potential of becoming world class if he maintains himself well and improves his consistency.
12th Man: Shikhar Dhawan
The 12th man was a choice between Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, who is just about knocking on the doors of the Test arena, but we decided to stick with Dhawan and give him a longer leash.
Dhawan hasn't had the greatest of years after a hugely successful 2013 and he should spend the next few months working on his technique in foreign conditions.