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Let’s take a look at India’s probable playing XI for the SCG test.
The 5th test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). India is trailing 2-1 going into SCG and they must win the last test of the series to avoid a defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.
There are plenty of concerns for the visitors ahead of the 5th test, especially in the batting department. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been below average with the bat and the other batters too have struggled to perform consistently. Jasprit Bumrah has been the lone warrior for India in the bowling department. Plenty of changes are expected in the Indian XI.
The biggest news is that Rohit Sharma won’t be playing the 5th test as he has opted to ‘rest’. But according to reports, Rohit has been dropped from the side and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in the 5th test. There are question marks over Rishabh Pant’s spot as well. Pace Akash Deep is ruled out due to injury. Here’s India’s probable playing XI for the 5th test at the SCG.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul is again move to the top in Rohit’s absence. He didn’t have a great game at the MCG but he’s one of the best batters for India on this tour. Rahul has scored 259 runs in 4 games at an average of 37 including two fifties.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the best batter for team India on this tour. He scored 80+ runs in both innings of the Boxing Day Test. Jaiswal has scored 359 runs in 4 matches at an average of 51.28 including a century and two fifties to his name.
3. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is expected to replace Rohit Sharma in the SCG test. He will bat at 3. Gill looked in good touch in the Adelaide test and will be eager to do well in this important match. He has 60 runs in 3 matches.
4. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has scored only one good knock in this series. Apart from his 100* at Perth, he has been below average with the bat. Kohli has scored only 67 runs in 6 innings. He looked in decent touch in the first innings of the MCG test and will be itching for a big score in this match.
5. Rishabh Pant (wk)
Although there are speculations over Pant’s inclusion in the XI for the 5th BGT test but he’s expected to retain his position as he’s an ‘X-factor’ player with the bat. Pant has had poor returns in the series so far: 154 runs in 4 games at an average of 22.
6. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja failed to perform well in the last game but he’s a key player for India with his all-round attributes. The SCG pitch might spin a bit which will increase his importance with the ball. He’s been in decent touch with the bat as well.
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy was brilliant in the last game. He scored an excellent 114 in the first innings of the MCG test. Reddy has been India’s second-best batter in the series with 294 runs at an average of 49 including a century.
8. Dhruv Jurel
Dhruv Jurel is expected to come into the Indian XI for the 5th test match. His inclusion will bolster India’s batting depth but Washington Sundar could’ve given them an extra bowling option. Jurel has scored 202 runs in 4 tests in his career at an average of 40.40. There are chances that he might replace Rishabh Pant with Washington Sundar to retain his place in the Indian XI. Jurel is in our India’s probable playing XI for the SCG test.
9. Jasprit Bumrah (c)
Jasprit Bumrah will lead Team India in this game. He was the captain in the first test at Perth which India won. Bumrah has been exceptional in the series picking up 38 wickets in 4 games at an average of just 12.83. He has three 5-wicket hauls to his name.
11. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has 16 wickets in the series so far. His bowling average is 31.43. Siraj has been pretty inconsistent with his lines and lengths. He’s expected to be in India’s probable playing XI fir the 5th test. India will expect him to come good in this do-or-die game.
11. Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna is expected to replace Akash Deep for the SCG test. He has played 2 tests for India and has picked up 2 wickets. He was impressive in India’s intra-squad game ahead of the pink-ball test. Prasidh is tall and gets extra bounce off the pitch. He’ll be a key bowler for India in this match.
India’s Probable Playing XI for Melbourne Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal
KL Rahul
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Dhruv Jurel
Jasprit Bumrah (c)
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna
