The excitement of watching Rohit Sharma walking out to begin a Test innings for India, or the assurance that comes free with Cheteshwar Pujara every time he takes care of the Indian middle order, or the majestic Virat Kohli taking full control of your cricketing senses as he conjures up some magical knock — these men have become almost a habit for Indian cricket fans. But is that glorious experience in its final lap?

No matter how timeless Kohli’s 186 in Ahmedabad seemed, he would turn 35 by the year-end. Rohit and Pujara are a year older than Kohli. It’s not just about the batters, Ravichandran Ashwin is 36 years old, Umesh Yadav is 35 and Mohammed Shami will be 33 this year. And despite the mask of his youthfulness and energy, fact is that even Ravindra Jadeja has walked the earth for 34 years. For those who enjoyed the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy and are curious to know when will the Australians tour India next, it is in early 2027. Almost four years from now, though in between India will travel Down Under for a Test series towards the end of 2024.

But have you imagined how the Indian Test team might look like when the Australians come down for a series in 2027? How many of the current stars would still be in cricket’s galaxy? While age is not on the side of many of them, you never know, some of their class may let them carry on for a year or two more than what could be their usual closure of innings. Logically, however, it appears that the Indian Test team four years from now will sport a very different look. Who are the future India Test regulars? The Telegraph plays the predictor.

Prithvi Shaw

⚫ Age: 23 ⚫ Test batting avg.: 42.37 (5 matches) ⚫ First-class avg.: 51.09 (42 matches)

Prithvi is not new to the Test orbit. He had made a glorious entry, scoring 134 in his very first match. But that was back in 2018. Since then, the right-handed opener has had a roller-coaster ride, either enthralling fans with his impeccable stroke-making or baffling all with his bewildering dismissals. If he is doing neither, he bumps into some controversy or the other. But all that aside, his talent is unquestionable and he looks set to be India’s first-choice opener in Tests and beyond.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

⚫ Age: 21 ⚫ Tests: Yet to play ⚫ Firstclass avg.: 80.21 (15 matches)

Yashasvi has been in the spotlight since his Under-19 days. He has already played in the IPL. Though he hasn’t really burnt the field in his IPL stint, make no mistake, Yashasvi has the game for the future. His recent exploits in the Irani Cup match — scored 213 and 144 — proved that he has the temperament and class to tame the red ball. With Shubman Gill almost cementing his place at the top of the order, it will be difficult for the left-handed Yashasvi to make the cut, but he doesn’t seem to be one who would give up easily.

Sarfaraz Khan

⚫ Age: 25 ⚫ Tests: Yet to play ⚫ Firstclass batting avg.: 79.65 (37 matches)

Like Prithvi and Yashasvi, Sarafarz too is a Mumbai cricket product. Sarfaraz has been scoring tons of runs from 12 years of age — he played a record knock of 439 while playing in the Harris Shield inter-school meet, hitting 56 fours and 12 sixes — and it has become only better with time. In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he averaged 92.66. It is sheer bad luck that he hasn’t been able to find a place in the Indian middle-order yet, but he soon will. He looks to be the future backbone of India’s Test batting line-up.

Prasidh Krishna

⚫ Age: 27 ⚫ Tests: Yet to play ⚫ Firstclass bowling avg.: 17.61 (49 wkts, 11 matches)

It is difficult to predict whether Shami or Umesh would be able to take the load of pace bowling four-five years later. With Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness being a concern, chances are Mohammed Siraj will feel lonely with the new ball unless someone like Prasidh is by his side. The Karnataka pacer is very underrated, but has excellent control over the ball. He bowls at a good pace, has a good seam position and can be immaculate with his line. Fitness permitting, Prasidh, who has already played 14 ODIs for India, can serve the team well with the red ball as well.

Washington Sundar

⚫ Age: 23 ⚫ Test bowling avg.: 49.83 (6 wkts, 4 matches) ⚫ First-class avg.: 29.64 (50 wkts, 21 matches)

An off-break bowler from Tamil Nadu like Ashwin, Sundar could be in demand in the future not just for his discipline with the ball, but also his ability with the bat. He has already played for India and knows the grind. He is not a big turner of the ball, but the way international cricket is shaping up, that would not be a hindrance going forward. For that matter, even Jadeja or Axar Patel doesn’t turn the ball much. A decent, intelligent spinner who can score vital runs down the order, Sundar is eligible for a permanent spot in the Indian team.

Ravi Bishnoi

⚫ Age: 22 ⚫ Tests: Yet to play First-class bowling avg.: 29.50 (2 wkts, 1 match)

The dark horse. Bishnoi was an U-19 star and plays in the IPL regularly. This young leg-break bowler hasn’t got too many opportunities in red-ball cricket. But unless one is tested, it is unfair to pass him off as just a white-ball spinner. Why can Bishnoi be a good Test bowler? Because he can turn the ball and has a very deceptive googly as well. Wrist-spinners are a rarity these days, but if the future Indian team management can invest faith and time in him, Bishnoi can turn a match-winner. He is a brilliant fielder as well.