India Playing XI 1st Test: IND AUS Nagpur Test: India Practice Nagpur – With two big blows, India are heading to the showdown in race for WTC Finals. But despite an excellent home record, especially against Australia, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are struggling with team selections for Nagpur Test. With no Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, Team India must decide on the right candidates for the IND vs AUS 1st Test. Shubman Gill, KS Bharat, Jaydev Unadkat and Kuldeep Yadav are some of the biggest players giving Dravid a big selection headache. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
- Who will open with Rohit Sharma?
- Who will keep wickets in Pant’s absence?
- Where does Shubman Gill fit in?
- Umesh Yadav or Jaydev Unadkat?
- Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav?
Preps in full swing 👌 👌 #TeamIndia hit the ground running for the #INDvAUS Test series opener in Nagpur 👍 👍 pic.twitter.com/LwJUGZ5hPp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2023
India Playing XI 1st Test: Shubman or Bharat? Umesh or Unadkat? 5 BIG SELECTION headaches for Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma before Nagpur Test, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
Who will open with Rohit Sharma? – This is one big question that is bothering Team India. While KL Rahul has been a guaranteed opener, Shubman Gill’s form has raised a big question. Should Gill open with Rohit?
The team management has backed Shubman heavily in all three formats. And the results have started showing. He has slammed tons across all three formats and has also got a double ton in ODIs. Hence, he has not got nothing to prove to anyone anymore. It’s on the team management to make the right call.
Shubman Gill since December 2022
- Tests: 2, innings: 4, Runs: 157, Century: 1, Avg: 39.25
- ODIs: 6, Runs: 567, Avg: 113.4, Century: 3 (including a double ton), FIFTY: 1
- T20s: 6, Runs: 202, Avg: 40.40, Century 1, SR: 165.57
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Who will keep wickets in Rishabh Pant’s absence? – KS Bharat having waited long enough is the frontrunner to don the big gloves. Despite being with the team and filling in for injured keepers, he is yet to make an official debut for India. The only way, his debut will have to wait is if India decides to hand KL Rahul the keeping duty for 1st Test. It must be noted that KL Rahul has not kept wickets for India in Tests full-time.
Keeping candidates:
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- KS Bharat
India Playing XI 1st Test: Shubman or Bharat? Umesh or Unadkat? 5 BIG SELECTION headaches for Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma before Nagpur Test, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
Where does Shubman Gill fit in? – The biggest dilemma for Team India will be on fitting Shubman Gill in the Playing XI. His inclusion will only increase India’s batting depth. But it will come at the cost of a spinner or a pacer. India’s Top 6 will be all batters only and that creates an imbalance.
Shubman despite his great run of form is in danger of missing out if KS Bharat keeps wickets for India. Shubman will be in direct contention with KL Rahul even if he doesn’t open. It will come down to the Nagpur pitch. India have used five specialist bowlers in the Test-playing XI and that is likely to stick. Hence, Shubman’s inclusion is still up in the smokes, depending on the pitch.
Umesh Yadav or Jaydev Unadkat? – In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, India only have one genuine swing bowler in Umesh Yadav. He is fast and can swing it well with the red SG ball. Mohammad Shami is also a similar pacer for India. It’s given that Siraj-Shami will lead India’s pace attack. But who will be the third seamer?
The decision is a difficult one. While Umesh Yadav does bring in pace, Jaydev Unadkar is the only left-arm seamer in the squad. He can be a handy asset, especially with his sublime domestic form.
Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav? – The other discussion is on Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav. However, neither of them is likely to play if Nagpur offers a sporty pitch. If it turns out to be a rank-turner, Axar Patel will get the nod in the expense of a seamer. If it comes with a green tinge, it is likely that India will go with a batter less.
Predicted India Playing XI 1st Test:
- Rohit Sharma
- KL Rahul
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Shubman Gill
- KS Bharat (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Umesh Yadav/ Jaydev Unadkat
- Mohammad Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
India Test squad for first two Tests: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
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