It’s confirmed, Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal will make Test debut. However, as predicted by InsideSport, Jaydev Unadkat gets the nod over mUkesh Sharma in India Playing XI 1st Test. Kishan got his chance after KS Bharat failed to impress with the bat in Rishabh Pant’s absence. Shubman Gill will bat at No 4.
Despite some big names, India are not at their full strength. Instead, this team is the best example of transition. With the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah out, the team management has the chance to test some new faces.
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To start with, India have another new opener. For the first time since Shikhar Dhawan, India have a left-hand opener in Test. In the last 12 months, India have had three different combinations in 7 Tests. Now, it’s time for 4th.
- KL Rahul & Shubman Gill vs Bangladesh
- Rohit Sharma & KL Rahul vs Australia (1st & 2nd Test)
- Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill (3rd & 4th Test vs Australia & WTC Final)
- Rohit Sharma & Yashasvi Jaiswal (Potential vs WI)
With Shubman Gill becoming the new No 3 in place of Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid has picked left-hander Jaiswal. The young Mumbaikar has made his journey from humbleness to potential greatness. With his stroke-making playstyle, it will give India a boost in the difficult initial phase against Dukes in the windy West Indies.
India Playing XI for 1st Test
- Yashasvi Jaiswal will open with Rohit Sharma.
- Shubman Gill, the future all-format superstar, will try to cement the No 3 slot.
- Virat Kohli struggling with his Test form has a chance to redeem himself at No 4.
- Ajinkya Rahane who returns as the vice-captain once again has a chance to cement No 5 spot with Shreyas Iyer still struggling with fitness.
- Meanwhile, India have a new wicketkeeper in Ishan Kishan as Dravid spent the most time with the youngster.
- With KS Bharat failing to impress with the willow, he has a chance to make a name for himself until Rishabh Pant returns.
India bowling combinations:
For the first time in two years, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will play a Test together outside India. The dry surface will have some assistance for spinners and the two experienced duo will come into the play. In pace department though, the transition kicks in as well.
Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack while Shardul Thakur is also a sure-shot starter. It’s about the fifth bowling option that India have a lot of pondering to do. Jaydev Unadkat has pipped Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini to be the fifth bowler. His handy batting at No 9 will also be helpful for India.
India Playing XI vs WI 1st Test
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Shardul Thakur
- Jaydev Unadkat
- Mohammed Siraj
India Squad WI Tests: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
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