Rahul’s batting position not decided yet, Rohit Sharma & Shubhman Gill will return; Spinner’s selection a big question.
The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will start at 9:30 am on Friday, 6 December. It is a day-night match, which will be played with a pink ball in Adelaide. Despite winning the first Test, India will make more changes in its playing 11 than Australia.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲 🔛 #TeamIndia gearing up for the Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide 👌 👌#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5K4DlBtOE6
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2024
Captain Rohit Sharma has joined the team after the birth of his second child. At the same time, Shubman Gill has recovered from injury. Both the players will play the second Test. The answer to the question of who will get a chance as a spin and pace all-rounder has not been found yet.
Whose place will Rohit-Shubhman take?
Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill are permanent members of the playing 11. Both will replace Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. In the first Test, Padikkal came at number 3 and Jurel at number 6. In the second Test, Shubhman can play at number 3.
Rohit can play in the middle order
Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings, but KL Rahul increased the problems of the team management by batting brilliantly against the new ball in the first test. After his innings, the chances of captain Rohit playing in the middle order have increased. In the practice match against PM-11 also, Rohit came in the middle order, while Rahul opened. A day before, Rahul said that he can bat at any position.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2024
There are high chances of Rahul opening with Yashasvi. Rohit can come at number 5. Virat Kohli will be at number 4 and Rishabh Pant will be at number 6. All-rounder Nitish Reddy can now come at number 7. He came at number 8 in the first test.
Only one spinner will be selected
India’s only spinner in Perth was Washington Sundar, although he did not get much chance to bat. Ravichandran Ashwin has an excellent record in Adelaide, he has taken 16 wickets in 3 Tests here. Which includes 3 or more wickets in an innings 4 times. On the last tour, he sent Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to the pavilion. He was also seen bowling for a long time during net practice.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2024
If the team management considers the past records, Ashwin is sure to play. He can also bat. Apart from Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are the options. Whichever player gets the chance, he will bat at number 8.
Harshit and Aakash in the consideration for the third pacer
Harshit Rana, who bowled Travis Head in the first test, impressed in the practice match. Therefore, his chances of playing have increased. Akash Deep also bowled well in the net practice, the question is who will be the third pacer among the two players. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be the first two pacers.
Australia forced to make one change
While Team India is going to make 2 to 3 changes, the Kangaroo team will make only one change even after losing the first Test. That too out of compulsion. Josh Hazlewood, who conceded runs at an economy rate of less than 2 in the first Test, has been injured. In such a situation, Scott Boland will get a chance in his place. Apart from this, there will be no other change in the playing 11.