The plan for Team India's future is to develop a young captain under Rohit's guidance

India's participation in the World Test Championship will kick off with their tour of the West Indies in July. Commencing on July 12, the Indian cricket team will engage in a two-Test series during this tour. The culmination of this championship cycle will take place at Lord's in 2025, following a two-year duration. At that time, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin will be 38 years old, while Pujara and Rahane will be 37, Kohli and Jadeja will be 36, and Shami will be 34.

As the majority of players on the Indian team near the age of 35, it is uncertain what plans the team management has in store for them. In addition to this, there are several unresolved questions that India will need to address within the next two years. Discover what potential strategies India may adopt for their test matches in the foreseeable future.

A young player has to be promoted as the vice-captain
As the successful captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has established himself as a strong contender to succeed Rohit in the limited-overs side. However, the question of who will lead the Test team remains unanswered. In contention, Shubman Gill is also there but he still needs to prove himself on foreign soil. Rishabh Pant was a formidable candidate but he is still recovering.

Bumrah, who led the team in the Birmingham Test against England, may see a reduction in his workload across all three formats after undergoing back surgery. It would be wise for India to appoint a young Test vice-captain who has the potential to evolve into a captain over time.

Yashasvi-Sarfaraz has the potential to join the team
Rahane and Pujara are constantly under pressure. Both have made successful comebacks by performing well in domestic and county cricket. It is highly likely that both players will be included in the Windies tour in July, but there are several talented youngsters in the middle order who are eagerly waiting for their opportunity. These young players deserve to be given sufficient chances.

Over the years, Abhimanyu Easwaran has consistently scored runs in India A, Bengal, and Duleep Trophy matches. Yashasvi and Sarfaraz from Mumbai have demonstrated consistent performances in Ranji Trophy matches. Rajat Patidar from Madhya Pradesh has secured a place in the middle order of India A through his impressive performances. Tilak Verma and Ruturaj have proven their worth both at the India A level and in other matches as well.

The team management will soon need to identify suitable replacements for Rohit Sharma and Kohli
With 8479 runs under his belt, Kohli is on the verge of becoming one of the top-4 run scorers. Additionally, he has a chance to join the elite list of Indian players who have achieved the feat of scoring 10,000 runs. However, it remains unclear whether the Indian team management envisions him in their Test plans beyond 2025. If not, what alternatives do they have? The same question arises for Rohit, whose Test career was cut short due to issues with form and fitness.

In light of this situation, India will need to identify successors for both Rohit and Kohli. Among the various potential options, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant stand out. Hardik Pandya has demonstrated his exceptional abilities in the IPL seasons while leading the Gujarat Titans, just as Pant has proven himself for the Delhi Capitals. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, is an explosive opening batsman who has consistently delivered outstanding performances across all formats. However, given his young age, it may be premature to entrust him with the responsibility of leading the team. Nevertheless, he would be an excellent choice for the role of vice-captain, having previously fulfilled that position during the U-19 World Cup.

Mohammed Shami has the potential to become a specialist in Test cricket after the World Cup
Bumrah, who is 29 years old, has been out of action since the 2022 T20 World Cup due to a back injury. The team management is eager to have him back in time for the upcoming World Cup. Following the World Cup, India has been invited for an 8-match series in Africa. It will be followed by a series of 5 Tests against England in India. Additionally, there are plans for IPL and the T20 World Cup in 2024.

Given this situation, it is crucial to prioritize Bumrah's workload management. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, who is 32 years old and currently injury-free, plays all three formats. He will play a pivotal role for India in the ODIs and T20 World Cup; however, his workload also needs careful consideration.

Saurabh and Rahul Chahar have the capability to lead the spin department alongside Axar
Ashwin recently revealed that he has modified his bowling action as a result of experiencing knee pain, which has provided him with some respite. It is worth noting that his spin partner Jadeja underwent knee surgery last September. Consequently, it remains to be seen how long these two bowlers can maintain their physical condition and what alternatives they have available.

While Axar Patel is a viable option, Kuldeep Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, and Rahul Chahar have consistently represented India A. They have demonstrated their abilities in that capacity. With further development and guidance, Kuldeep Yadav could effectively contribute to India's spin bowling department.