We’re just a couple of days away from the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth. India trained for more than a week at the WACA where they even played a three-day intra-squad practice game (match simulation) before they moved to the Optus this week.
With Rohit Sharma unavailable and Shubman Gill ruled out due to a finger injury, India’s batting line-up is slightly short on experience. From reports on ESPNCricinfo and practice sessions, let’s look at what could possibly be India’s playing XI for the first Test.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is a lock for the opener’s role. He’s been in fine form this year as he gears up to play his first Test in Australia. KL Rahul is set to partner him at the top. The Karnataka batter has been batting in the middle-order in Test cricket over the last year or so. However, he flew to Australia early and opened the batting for India ‘A’ against Australia in the second game at the MCG.
Abhimanyu Easwaran is the other opening option who has scored a truckload of runs in domestic cricket. However, he had a poor run in the ‘A’ series, scoring just 36 runs in four innings. Hence, Devdutt Padikkal who impressed in the first unofficial Test against Australia ‘A’, getting scores of 36 & 88. His overall first-class average reads 42.49.
There is no question about Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant who will bat at No. 4 and 5 respectively. While Kohli’s form has been a concern but he has a solid record in Australia. Moreover, he has looked in good touch in the nets and practice sessions.
Dhruv Jurel is the favourite for the No. 6 spot. Sarfaraz Khan is the incumbent No. 6 who smashed 150 in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. However, he flopped in the other five innings (21 runs combined). In addition, Jurel was superb in the second India ‘A’ game at the MCG where he racked up scores of 80 & 68 on a spicy track. He’s looked brilliant in the practice sessions as well.
All eyes on the India bowling line-up
India’s conundrum will be in the lower order. They have Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar in the squad. It’ll be interesting to see if they go with two spinners and three pacers or go in with a 4-1 combination.
Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the side and the pace attack. Mohammed Siraj is going to share the new ball with Bumrah. Akash Deep has been decent in his short Test career but has played all his Tests in India. Prasidh Krishna has played a couple of Test matches in South Africa and performed well in the ‘A’ series. However, Harshit Rana has been making the right noises in the nets and warm-ups. According to rumours, he is in line to make his Test debut. He took a five-wicket haul and struck a fifty in his last first-class game.
There is Nitish Kumar Reddy as well who could slot in the all-rounder’s role. If reports are to be believed, he is likely to earn his Test cap in Perth. He has been bowling a lot in the nets and has been impressive. Thus, Rana and Reddy could be the two debutants for India in that first Test. At least five of the players will be playing their first Test match in Australia and India have a stiff challenge ahead of them.
PROBABLE INDIA XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin/Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj.
