IND AUS Ahmedabad Test: In a must-win situation, India Cricket Team are suddenly in a spot of bother after a 9-wicket thrashing in Indore. India need to win in Ahmedabad to leave out any chance of SriLanka pulling off an upset in NewZealand. With Australia already sealing the deal for WTC Final, India are now in a two-horse race. But to reach there, India need a look-in into their batting in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Despite difficult pitches, batters have not fared well. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are pondering adding an extra batter in place of a seamer in IND vs AUS Ahmedabad Test. But KL Rahul does not feature in the plans. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Barring Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel, none of the Indian batters have crossed an average of 30. In Indore, India could only manage 109 and 163 in two innings. That forces the team to come up with a different plan.
IND AUS Ahmedabad Test: WTC Final spot up for grabs, Rohit-Dravid ponder extra batter after Indore collapse, no place for KL Rahul, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
India have so far used 6 5 specialist batters and three all-rounders. But with KS Bharat also not living up to the mark, India need to reinforce the batting. India have only one option left on the bench if not KL Rahul. Suryakumar Yadav could only play 20 balls in the first innings of the first Test before Shreyas Iyer took over.
In Ahmedabad, an extra batter could come in handy. The pitch has provided batters with a good platform in the first innings with 500 runs on the cards. With no instruction from the BCCI or the team management to make a green-top, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) curators are preparing a good batting pitch.
In the last Ranji match at the venue, Railways scored 508 against Gujarat and there were 200+runs for in two other innings. A similar wicket is likely.
Ahmedabad Pitch:
- Soil: Black soil aiding spin
- Average first innings score: 338
- Average 2nd innings score: 337
- Average 4th innings score: 147
- Last Test: India vs England – India won by an innings and 25 runs
“In fact, last Ranji game over here in January, Railways scored 500 plus (508) batting first and Gujarat, although had innings defeat, scored 200 plus in both innings. It won’t be too different this time,” the GCA source said.
What to expect from Ahmedabad Test?
- Mohammad Shami, who was rested for 3rd Test will return.
- It is likely that Mohammed Siraj will be rested with the ODI series coming up immediately before IPL.
- In batting department, no changes are expected. Shubman Gill will continue to keep KL Rahul on the bench barring any late injury.
- Axar Patel so far has only bowled 39 overs, one-third of the two lead spinners.
- But considering he is averaging 92.50 with the bat and has been India’s rock in the lower order, he will keep his place.
- KS Bharat despite his failures will get the backing, all thanks to his keeping skills.
IND AUS Ahmedabad Test: WTC Final spot up for grabs, Rohit-Dravid ponder extra batter after Indore collapse, no place for KL Rahul, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
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