IND vs SL LIVE – India Playing XI Mohali Test: In his debut game as India’s test captain, Rohit Sharma has taken a big call on Indian Playing XI. With Chetershwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane shunted out of the team, the new Indian captain has decided to play Hanuma Vihari ahead of talented Shubman Gill. Follow INDIA vs SRILANKA Mohali Test LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
Not only this, Rohit has also drafted Jayant Yadan in XI ahead of Mohammed Siraj. This means, India will have 3 spinners in their arsenal for the 1st test.
India have won the toss and opted to bat first
Here are the XIs:
India: 1 R Sharma (capt), 2 M Agarwal, 3 H Vihari, 4 V Kohli, 5 S Iyer, 6 R Pant (wk), 7 R Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 J Yadav, 10 M Shami, 11 J Bumrah
Sri Lanka: 1 D Karunaratne (capt), 2 L Thirimanne, 3 P Nissanka, 4 A Mathews, 5 D de Silva, 6 C Asalanka, 7 N Dickwella (wk), 8 S Lakmal, 9 L Embuldeniya, 10 V Fernando, 11 L Kumara
ROHIT SHARMA: “We want to put up the runs on the board and take the game from there,” Rohit says. “It’s a huge honour to captain India, I never dreamt of it. Very much looking forward to it. It’s been quite buzzing, we know it’s a special occasion as not many people go on to play 100 Tests. We are playing three spinners and two seamers.”
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: “We wanted to bat first as well,” says Dimuth Karunaratne. “We have played 300 Tests but have never won in India. But we are prepared for something new here. We have got a good mix of juniors and seniors. We have got three seamers and two spinners.”
Virat Kohli’s 100th Test: Dinesh Karthik says, ‘Not just for India, Virat…
Virat Kohli 100th Test: Virat Kohli is being felicitated for the 100th Test. “It’s a testament to everything,” Rahul Dravid says. “It’s well deserved, it’s well earned. As we say in the dressing room, double it up.”
Dravid presents a special cap to Kohli.
“Thanks, Rahul bhai, it’s a special moment for me,” Kohli says. “My wife is here with me, my brother is there in the stands. It’s a team game and the journey wouldn’t have been possible without you guys. Thanks to BCCI too. I couldn’t have received it from a better person, my childhood hero. I still have that picture with you from my U-15 days.”
IND vs SL LIVE: BIG SELECTION HEADACHE for CAPTAIN Rohit Sharma, who to pick, who to leave out between Gill, Vihari, Iyer?: Follow INDIA vs SRI LANKA 1st Test LIVE Updates
India Playing XI Mohali Test – Why a tough call for Rohit Sharma? The 1st test is poised to spell the start of a new-look Indian batting, especially the middle-order.
For the first time in more than a decade, India will be without Rahane and Pujara in a Test.
Who will bat at No. 3 for India? While Rohit is set to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal in Mohali, there is confusion over who could occupy the No. 3 slot.
3 Contenders 2 Places? Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iye – Who gets Rohit Sharma’s NOD for a place in Playing XI?
Contender No. 1 – Shubman Gill: Shubman hasn’t played much after his shin injury resurfaced following the New Zealand Tests.
Considered technically sound, Shubman averages 56.56 in 33 first-class matches. He has played 44 of his 57 first class innings as an opener and Dravid has seen him from close quarters during his India A stint.
Will he be India’s new No. 3? The news from team India’s camp is – team management is interested in developing Gill as No. 3 option for India. His sound temprament, technique and more important age goes in his favor.
Gill is likely to get Rohit & Rahul Dravid’s nod as No. 3 for India.
Contender No. 2 – Shreyas Iyer: Iyer has been in a very good form since his century on Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur.
He finished as Man of the Series in the T20Is versus Sri Lanka, accumulating 204 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 174.35.
He missed the series in South Africa after complaining of a stomach bug with Hanuma Vihari capitalising on the chances.
Iyer should be a sure shot starter in the line-up. His form, confidence should keep him in good stead – but his struggle with SHOT-PITCH bowling can go against him.
Contender No. 3 – Hanuma Vihari: Whenever India faces difficult challenges abroad, Vihar gets a start in XI. But on the easy going Indian pitches, team management tends to forget their unsung WARRIOR.
Will it happen again?
There is talk that Vihari may be given the No. 3 position because of his defensive approach, similar to that of Pujara.
Vihari has so far played Tests in conditions that needed an extra batter, which is why 12 of his 13 Tests have been overseas.
IND vs SL LIVE – India Playing XI Mohali Test: It’s clear Rohit Sharma has a tough decision to make in next few hours.
Follow INDIA vs SRILANKA Mohali Test LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
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