MUMBAI: Shaken by its sensational collapse in Adelaide, India could completely renew its XI for the second round in Melbourne, with up to five changes, TOI has learned. Two of the changes are forced due to virat Kohlithe absence and injury of Mohammed Shami.
“Starter Prithvi Shaw could be replaced by KL Rahultalented young man Shubhman gill will make his test debut, replacing skipper Virat Kohli at number 4. Hanuma Vihari can give way to fit again Ravindra Jadeja. Wriddhiman Saha could lose his place as wicketkeeper for Rishabh pants, and both Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini can replace the injured pacemaker Mohammed Shami, “said a BCCI source.
With Siraj and Saini already part of the team, BCCI is unlikely to name a replacement for Shami, who broke his hand in the second inning while defending against a Pat Cummins goalie.
Shaw showed enough technical deficiencies to suggest that he may not be ready for test cricket yet, as Shane Warne joked after the game. What makes his case worse is his poor fielding. In Shaw’s absence, Mayank Agarwal could open up the hitting with KL Rahul, who was in brilliant IPL form, finishing as the leading scorer in runs.
However, as former India hitter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar noted, Rahul has had his share of poor performances in the last five test series he has played. In his last five series, Rahul’s averages say: 7.1 against South Africa, 29 against England, 18 against the West Indies at home, 10.7 against Australia (in the last tour of India in 2018-19) and 25.4 against the West Indies.
“In cricket, form is everything, and he’s in shape,” said the source.
Meanwhile, having impressed everyone with shots of 43 (from 58 balls) and 65 (from just 78 balls) in the second warm-up game in Sydney, Gill is set to make his Test debut in Kohli’s absence. Though he can open, Gill is ready to hit Kohli’s usual No. 4.
The unimpressive Vihari, who managed just 16 and 8 in Adelaide, will give way to Jadeja. “This way, we get an all-rounder at number 6. Then we can enjoy the luxury of five specialized bowlers: two spinners and three pacemakers,” said the source. Help Jadeja be a ‘gun gardener’ and will help raise India’s field standards.
Saha had poor shots in both innings at Adelaide, and her normally safe maintenance was not at its best either. Pant had gone one hundred undefeated with just 73 balls in the second inning of India’s second preparation game, which was played with the pink ball, against Australia ‘A’. The young wicketkeeper was not in good shape in the IPL, but he had scored a hundred in the fourth and final test in Sydney on the last tour from India to Australia. It helps that he’s a southpaw and can attack the ball, something that may make up for the ultra-conservative approach taken by some of India’s best hitters these days.
Shami is likely to be replaced by Siraj or Saini, although for now Siraj, who won 3/83 in the first warm-up game, has the upper hand. “The good thing is that both Siraj and Saini can generate good rhythm,” said the source.
INDIA CHANGES FOR THE BOXING DAY TRIAL
KL Rahul to replace Prithvi Shaw in slot opening
Shubman Gill to fill Virat Kohli’s big boots at No. 4
Ravindra Jadeja to replace Hanuma Vihari at No. 6
Rishabh Pant will enter; Goalkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will come out
Between Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini, Siraj has the upper hand when it comes to replacing the injured Mohammed Shami
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