With Virat Kohli already back in India for the birth of their first child and Mohammed Shami out of the series with a fractured wrist, multiple changes are expected with the Indian XI playing for Test 2 against Australia in Melbourne starting on Saturday. Aside from the two forced trades, there may be a few others as well after India’s dismal hitting performance in the second inning in Test 1, going through the net sessions on Wednesday.
India posted its lowest test total – 36 – in the second inning at Adelaide to lose the first test by 8 wickets despite having their noses up front for the first two days. Intensity levels in the practice session in Melbourne were high, with alternate captain Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Shastri keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
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Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja spent long hours online, suggesting they might be in the scheme of things for the Boxing Day test match. Gill, who has yet to make his test debut, looked in good touch against the closers and appears to be replacing Prithvi Shaw as Mayank Agarwal’s partner.
Shaw, whose technique against incoming delivery was exposed in both innings of the Day-Night Test, was also spotted on the net with hitting coach Vikram Rathour.
Meanwhile, Jadeja launched a time of one hour to confirm her physical condition. The SUV had missed the last two T20I and the first test due to a concussion and hamstring injury suffered during the first T20I.
After seeing R. Ashwin perform in the first round (he collected 4 wickets on day 2 of the pink ball event), India could be inclined to place two spinners in the second round. Nor can one rule out the possibility of a five-bowler attack with Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini getting their test cap in place of the injured Mohammed Shami.
If India plays Jadeja, Ashwin and three spikes, then Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari could hit a higher spot and Rishabh Pant could replace Wriddhiman Saha simply because of their hitting skills.
The fact that both Jadeja and Pant will provide different angles for Australian bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc is also on the minds of the Indian team management.
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