In Short
- Rohit set to miss Perth Test due to family commitments
- Jasprit Bumrah likely to lead India in Rohit’s absence
- Shubman Gill ruled out with thumb injury, Rahul fit to open
BUMRAH TO LEAD IN ROHIT’s ABSENCE
India will be without skipper Rohit Sharma for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit, who welcomed his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh on Friday, will join the squad ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, a pink-ball game beginning December 6. In his absence, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will step in as captain in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as previously confirmed by head coach Gautam Gambhi
India faces a selection conundrum ahead of the first Test in Perth, with Shubman Gill’s thumb injury and Rohit Sharma’s absence creating two vacancies at the top of the order. Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal, a reserve batter from the shadow tour, remains with the squad as additional cover.
RAHUL FIT FOR PERTH TEST
Rahul looked comfortable during his three-hour net session, batting without discomfort and participating fully in drills. Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI, he expressed confidence in his readiness. “I had a bad hit on Day 1 of the game. Feeling good today and getting ready for the first game. I’m excited and looking forward to this series,” said Rahul.
Team physio Kamlesh Jain confirmed Rahul’s positive response to treatment, ensuring his availability for the Perth Test starting November 22.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, fresh from an impressive domestic season with four consecutive centuries, has struggled to replicate his form in Australian conditions, scoring 0, 17, 7, and 12 against Australia A. His vulnerability to pace raises questions about his readiness. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Padikkal could slot in at No. 3 for the opening Test.
India could also consider opening with Abhimanyu Easwaran, despite his underwhelming numbers in the A games on the Australian tour.
INDIA WOULDN’T WANT TO DISTURB VIRAT’s POSITION
Virat Kohli’s performances in red-ball cricket have been underwhelming, evidenced by a modest average of 22.72, with only 6 Tests played. Kohli’s struggle was particularly evident in the recent home series against New Zealand, where he failed to score a century and managed less than 100 runs across the three-match series. His inconsistency has led to concerns, with some experts questioning his place in the Test lineup. However, despite these recent challenges, Kohli remains an integral part of India’s batting order, given his immense experience and past successes.
These performances, coupled with his underperformance in the home series against New Zealand, have added pressure on the star batsman, but India would still be reluctant to move him from his established position at No. 4. The team management would prefer to offer Kohli the stability of his preferred batting spot, hoping that this consistency will help him regain form.
Disturbing Kohli’s position in the batting order could further undermine his confidence, which is already fragile after a string of low scores. The No. 4 spot has been Kohli’s haven for years, and shifting him to a different position could have unintended psychological consequences, disrupting his rhythm even more. Given the importance of his experience in the middle order, especially in high-stakes Tests like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian team would likely choose to persist with Kohli at No. 4, giving him the best chance to rediscover his form without the added pressure of adjusting to a new batting position.
DHRUV OR SARFARAZ AT NO.6
Dhruv Jurel has been making a strong case for inclusion in India’s playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Shubman Gill ruled out due to a thumb injury and KL Rahul’s fitness still uncertain, Jurel’s chances are looking bright. The wicketkeeper-batsman recently impressed in India A’s second match against Australia A, where he top-scored in both innings with 80 off 186 balls in the first and 68 off 122 in the second. Despite India A’s loss, Jurel’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure stood out, highlighting his readiness for a bigger challenge.
Earlier this year, Jurel showcased his potential during his Test debut against England, scoring 90 in the first innings and guiding India to victory with an unbeaten 39. His performances have steadily built his reputation as a player capable of handling big moments, and with the first Test against Australia fast approaching, his strong form has left fans hopeful for his inclusion.
Sarfaraz’s difficulty in facing the short ball, coupled with his frustration after getting out to a cut shot, has raised questions about his preparedness for the demanding Australian conditions. In contrast, Jurel’s recent form and temperament make him a strong contender for the spot, making him a likely option for India’s middle order in the first Test.
NITISH LIKELY TO MAKE DEBUT ON BOUNCY PERTH PITCH
“Both bowling units were pretty rapid last year, and I’m hoping for much the same this year,” McDonald said. While he believes skilled batsmen can capitalize on the conditions, he’s confident that the pace and live grass will keep both sides on edge.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to earn his maiden Test cap for India in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Perth on Friday. The Indian team management is likely to field him as the fourth seamer, with Perth’s Optus Stadium expected to offer bounce and carry, making Reddy an ideal fit to strengthen the fast bowling department.
Bumrah, the vice-captain, will lead the team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, while Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Aakash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna complete the fast-bowling lineup. With Hardik Pandya absent from the Test squad, Reddy is the sole pace-bowling all-rounder available for the five-match series, while Shardul Thakur, a former regular on India’s Australian tours, has fallen down the selection order.
During the pre-departure press conference, coach Gautam Gambhir expressed confidence in Reddy’s ability, stating, “The decision to pick Reddy ahead of Shardul is about looking to the future. We’ve chosen the best squad, and we all know how talented Nitish is. If given the opportunity, he will deliver for us.”
India’s Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj.
