As Team India sweats it out ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium from August 15, the biggest contest may not be against the Islanders but within the dressing room itself. With India's World Test Championship hopes hanging in the balance, getting the playing XI right could be the difference between staying in contention for a place in the final and seeing the remainder of the cycle turn into a mere formality.

Farveez Maharoof backs uncapped Gurnoor Brar as India's 'X-factor'

Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has singled out uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar as a potential game-changer for India in the two-Test series. Brar, who was included in India's squad, made his international debut against Afghanistan in an ODI earlier this year and has picked up 11 wickets in six innings at an average of 32.81. The 25-year-old also boasts impressive numbers in first-class cricket, having claimed 62 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 25.24, including four four-wicket hauls, two five-wicket hauls, and a 10-wicket match haul.

Speaking to reporters during an interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, Maharoof said: "I like Gurnoor Brar. I think he can be an X-factor. He has the bounce, pace, the fighting spirit, and he can be nasty."

Brar impressed during India's warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI, finishing with three wickets and troubling several batters who have already featured in Test cricket. "If you watched the warm-up match, some of the deliveries he bowled against the batters who have already played Tests, he made them quite uneasy. A couple of players also got some body blows," Maharoof added.

The former Sri Lankan all-rounder admitted that Brar's lack of Test experience could make his selection a gamble, but believes his ability to generate pace and bounce could make him a valuable weapon in short spells. "If I am the think tank of India, I will be tempted to try Brar. I know he has not played red-ball cricket and has just played white-ball cricket for India, but he brings that X-factor, those short spells where you just want to break the rhythm of the batter. He can be a lethal weapon," he said.

Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel? The No. 6 debate

The arrival of chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Colombo on Tuesday underlines the importance of the decisions that await the team management. The selection debate that has generated the most discussion centres on the No. 6 position. Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 in the warm-up game has virtually sealed the No. 3 slot vacated by the injured Sai Sudharsan, leaving the management with a straight choice between Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel.

Former India wicketkeeper and ex-chief selector Kiran More believes Jurel's previous Test experience may give him the edge. "I think Jurel will play ahead of Sarfaraz because he has already played Test cricket and done well. He's a good fielder too. Sarfaraz has come in later and will get opportunities," More told TOI.

Jurel's overall record is respectable — in 10 Tests, he has scored 478 runs at 34.14, including a century and a fifty. However, concerns remain over the manner of his dismissals, especially against spin. After shining in the unofficial Test against South Africa A, Jurel struggled in the subsequent Test series, returning scores of 14, 13, 0 and 2. Veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer repeatedly exposed his vulnerability, dismissing him in both innings of each Test. The trend continued in Sri Lanka, where Jurel managed scores of one and 17 in the warm-up match and was dismissed cheaply by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis.

On a Galle track that is expected to turn, India's think tank will be wary of taking a batter into the series with visible doubts against spin. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif feels Sarfaraz should be the preferred choice. "If India stick to backing players who have already been around the side, then Jurel could get the nod. But if you ask me for the best XI, Sarfaraz is in it because of his ability against spin," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Few Indian batters have built their reputation against spin as convincingly as Sarfaraz. His first-class record is extraordinary — he averages 64.73 with 5,114 runs and 17 centuries in 62 matches.

Bowling combination: Three seamers or spin-heavy?

The other dilemma concerns India's bowling combination. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna look certain to lead the pace attack in the opening Test. The bigger question is whether India opt for a third seamer or strengthen the spin department.

Conventional wisdom suggests Sri Lankan pitches favour spin, but former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan believes seamers can also be effective. "Whenever I played in Sri Lanka, there was always a bit more zip in the wickets. In humid conditions, the ball also tends to move around," Pathan had told TOI recently.

Kiran More expects India to field three pacers unless Galle produces an outright raging turner. "My three seamers would be Siraj, Krishna and Gurnoor Brar. Since Nitish Kumar Reddy is unavailable, India need that extra pace option," More said. If More's formula is followed, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav would operate as the two frontline spinners.

Maharoof lauds captain Shubman Gill

Maharoof also reserved praise for India captain Shubman Gill, who will lead the side in the two-Test series. "Shubman Gill is a quality player. He is one of the best going around; his Test average this year is 70-odd. Numbers speak for themselves. The way he batted in the second innings of that warm-up match was superb. He is one of the best going around, not only in Tests, but also in all formats," Maharoof said.

India's squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Auqib Nabi.