Following India’s forgotten batting collapse in the second inning of the Adelaide Test that saw them being eliminated by 36, their lowest Total in the Tests, team management will look to make certain changes for the second Test in Melbourne starting in December 26. With Virat Kohli returned to India on Tuesday and fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the rest of the series due to a broken forearm, two changes are certain.
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But what happens to the remaining composition of the team remains to be seen. Prithvi Shaw’s place is in jeopardy, given his low scores of 0 and 4 in Adelaide, but so is Wriddhiman Saha’s place. The India wicketkeeper had a low-key test in Adelaide, affecting just one ejection in both innings and scoring 4 and 9 runs. With Rishabh Pant in the squad, it is believed that management is likely to replace the 36-year-old goalkeeper with the youngster.
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However, former Australian hitter Michael Hussey feels that the selection of a wicketkeeper should be based solely on his maintenance skills, a criterion in which he feels Saha outperforms Pant. “For me it all comes down to who is the best goalkeeper and I think the selectors have made the right decision so far,” he told ESPNCricinfo.
“Saha is an excellent goalkeeper and also a good hitter. In the past, I have seen the career of the wicketkeeper as an advantage. I think you’re going for the best wicketkeeper because you can’t afford to miss an opportunity behind stumps, spinners, or quicks. “
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Having said that, Hussey admitted the importance of an additional hitter in Kohli’s absence. After two batting collapses in two innings, India can do so with another specialized middle-order hitter in the form of Pant, who scored a century during India’s previous tour of Australia in 2018/19 and recently marked a fiery century with the pink ball against Australia A.
“However, you take Virat Kohli out of the equation and obviously bring in a minor hitter. Perhaps the additional careers that Rishabh Pant can provide will become a consideration. I am still inclined to stay with Saha, but I will be open to chat and see what the core members of the team think, ”Hussey said.
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