5 Things Virat Kohli-Led India Still Need To Be Wary Of In Tests

5. Team Balance:

6-5 or 7-4. This has been the most common question enveloping the young Indian side. For the tour of West Indies earlier this year, the combination was an attacking 6-5, with Ravichandran Ashwin shouldering the responsibility of batting at six. Against New Zealand, the focus shifted as a 7-4 combo was chosen in order to have Rohit Sharma in the scheme of things. That too was a good move as Rohit scored three priceless half-centuries in as many games. Against England though, it was 6-5 and the move paid rich dividends yet again.

The main factor to decide would be the team balance when they start to tour overseas. Ashwin is no mug with the bat, and he can be expected to do well at six even in alien conditions. Backing him up with another spinner wouldn’t be a bad move, as there is no such rule regarding the number of spinners needed in a side to do well outside the sub-continent. Thus, Ravindra Jadeja too can find a place along with three pacers. It must be noted that when India won at Headingley in 2002, they had two quality spinners in the ranks. Kohli can surely take a cue from Sourav Ganguly’s team combination if he is to be successful overseas. As a whole, a 6-5 combination would offer Kohli much better balance to the side.