India vs Australia: “They have got many things wrong” – Harsha Bhogle points out problems with India’s team selection


India vs Australia: “They have got many things wrong” – Harsha Bhogle points out problems with India’s team selection

Harsha Bhogle

India celebrate a wicket during the first Test

India suffered a humiliating defeat in the first Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval following a batting debacle that saw them bowled out for 36 in the second innings – their lowest ever score in Test match cricket. With the second Test looming and the forms of certain players a big concern, India named a changed playing XI for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which is scheduled to begin tomorrow.

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India replaced the out-of-form Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. They also brought in Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja for the unavailable Mohammed Shami (injury) and Virat Kohli (paternity leave). The 4 changes to the line-up have raised quite a few eyebrows especially the fact that batting ace Kohli is being replaced by an all-rounder.

‘We now have two confused wicket-keepers’ – Harsha Bhogle

Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant
Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant

Cricket commentator and analyst Harsha Bhogle took to Twitter today to give his take on India’s team selection in the second Test. He begun saying, “India’s team for the 2nd test is an admission that they got many things wrong in the first test. Especially with the keeper & opener. They must think Shaw is short on confidence because dropping a player after 2 innings means you aren’t giving him time to learn.”

Addressing the selection of Jadeja to replace Kohli, “The absence of Shami and Ishant means they feel the need for a 5th bowler which is either an admission that they don’t trust 4 or that they expect the track to turn later. Since Jadeja cannot play at 6 in Australia, it means sacrificing the keeper for someone who can bat. If Shaw had to be out and Gill in, the like for like replacement for Kohli (if possible at all!) was Rahul. But in principle, India have decided they want 5 bowlers. It is a big punt on the batting skills of Pant and Jadeja. I hope it isn’t the outcome of needing to play Jadeja,” Bhogle said.

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Speaking further about the wicket-keeper slot in Tests for India, “We now have two confused keepers because they have been given conflicting signals. Pant was, effectively, told he was the overseas keeper and Saha the home keeper. That changed at Adelaide and now suddenly, it has changed again. The principle always dictates the selection,” he said.

Signing off, Bhogle with a hint of optimist said, “This is a big statement of confidence in some players and on the approach to playing a test series. I will be very keen to see consistency because that also signifies conviction and creates confidence in players.

Also Read: “Let the Australians play mind games” – Ajinkya Rahane makes a statement ahead of second Test