India vs Australia: Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari to face the axe as Ravindra Jadeja set to return for Boxing Day Test
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Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari
The eight-wicket humbling at Adelaide has rattled the Indian side. And the visitors are gearing up to field a revamped side for the Boxing Day Test. According to a TOI report, a BCCI source confirmed that young Shubman Gill will make his debut replacing captain Virat Kohli in the side. The source went on to add that Prithvi Shaw will be making way for KL Rahul at the opening slot at the MCG.
It is also understood that Wriddhiman Saha will be making way for Rishabh Pant. Saha not only failed with the bat in the pink ball Test but was also not at his best behind the stumps. On the other hand, Pant is coming off a swashbuckling ton in the tour games. And has been India’s prefered gloveman in overseas Tests.
“Opener Prithvi Shaw could be replaced by KL Rahul, talented youngster Shubhman Gill will make his Test debut, replacing skipper Virat Kohli at No 4. Hanuma Vihari may make way for the fit-again Ravindra Jadeja. Wriddhiman Saha could lose his wicketkeeper’s spot to Rishabh Pant, and either of Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini can replace injured pacer Mohammed Shami,” a BCCI source said according to TOI.
Hanuma Vihari to make way for fit Ravindra Jadeja
Shaw has been going through a very rough phase early in his career. Following a devastating IPL, the Indian opener has failed to get going in the tour games as well as in the series opener. At the same time, Rahul’s performance has also been abysmal against the red ball. The Karnataka batsman averaged 7.1 against South Africa, 29 against England, 18 against the West Indies at home, 10.7 versus Australia (on India’s last tour in 2018-19), and 25.4 versus the West Indies in his last five series.
“In cricket, form is everything, and he (Rahul) is in form,” the source asserts.
Ravindra Jadeja has always been India’s go-to spinner in overseas conditions. But Ravichandran Ashwin‘s inspiring performance in Adelaide meant selection headache for the think tank. Jadeja missed the first Test due to a hamstring strain but has been cleared for the second encounter. The source reveals that the southpaw will be replacing Hanuma Vihari in the side. Vihari had a disappointing outing in Adelaide. And Jadeja’s all-round abilities coupled with his gun fielding puts him up in the pecking order.
“This way, we get an all-rounder at No 6. We can then enjoy the luxury of five specialist bowlers – two spinners and three pacers,” said the source.
Mohammed Shami‘s injury in Adelaide means India will e forced to field one of the rookie quicks at the MCG. Given their tour game performances, Mohammad Siraj clearly holds the upper ground over Navdeep Saini. Siraj returned with figures of 3 for 83 in the first warm-up game.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)