India vs SA 2015: Cheteshwar Pujara vs Lokesh Rahul - Who should play the 1st Test?

Pujara's recent form hasn't been up to the mark in Ranji Trophy.

New Delhi: One of the major concerns for Virat Kohli and the Indian think tank ahead of the first Test against South Africa would making a the choice between Cheteshwar Pujara and Lokesh Rahul.

Given the form of the other players in the team, only one of the two can find a place in the playing XI.

While Pujara has been a run-machine in the Indian domestic circuit, Rahul too has made the best of the few opportunities that have come his way.

Pujara's form of late hasn't been great. He scored just 64 runs from five innings for Saurashtra in the Ranji trophy. In his last match for the Board President XI, the 27-year-old scored 54 runs from two innings against Saffers.

However, when he got to play the third Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year, Pujara once again proved his mettle in the longest format of the game with an unbeaten 145-run knock in the first innings at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

Rahul, on the other hand, had a decent Ranji season for Karnataka where he scored 146 runs from four innings. Even for the Board President XI, the 23-year-old scored 72 and unbeaten 43 runs respectively.

It remains to be seen whether the selectors will keep in mind the current form of these two classy players, or give more priority to Pujara's experience.