After the loss in the 1st test match vs Australia, India likely to makes massive changes in the squad to seek a victory in the 2nd test match.
The inform Indian test squad faces its worst nightmare ever and scored the lowest total in Test cricket history. India scored only 36 runs in its second innings and lost the match by 8 wickets.
Changes in Team India for the 2nd Test match vs Australia
A BCCI source reveals the following changes would happen in the Team India squad for the 2nd test match against Australia.
- KL Rahul to replace Prithvi Shaw in the opening slot
- Shubman Gill to fill Virat Kohli‘s big boots at No. 4
- Ravindra Jadeja to replace Hanuma Vihari at No. 6
- Rishabh Pant will come in; wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will go out
- Between Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini, Siraj has the edge when it comes to replacing the injured Mohammed Shami.
KL Rahul in for Prithvi Shaw
Opener Prithvi Shaw is likely to be replaced by KL Rahul. Shaw fails to provide the expected and much-needed opening partnership for India. Shaw returns Pavillion after scoring 0 and 4 runs in the 1st test match.
This made the team India to seek the alternate opener which likely to fill by KL Rahul. Rahul who shows his peak form in IPL 2020 is expected to show his form in the boxing day test match. In Shaw’s absence, Mayank could open the batting with KL Rahul.
However, as former India batsman turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out, Rahul has had his share of poor performances in the last five-Test series that he has played in. In his last five series, Rahul’s averages read as
- 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 cricket, the form is everything, and he’s in form,” said the source.
Shubman Gill replaces Virat Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s No.4 position is likely to replace by Shubman Gill. Virat Kohli has been given paternity leave by BCCI by which he left Australia post the 1st Test match.
Having impressed everyone with knocks of 43 (off 58 balls) & 65 (off just 78 balls) in the second warm-up game in Sydney, Gill is set to make his Test debut in the absence of Kohli. Though he can open, Gill is set to bat at Kohli’s usual No 4.
Though it is a massive loss for team India, Virat Kohli’s absence plays as a huge opportunity for his replacement in the future test squad. Virat’s absence will definitely pose a great threat for team India’s batting side. Gill is expected to fill Virat’s boot in his absence and in need to fulfill the duties as Virat used to do.
Ravindra Jadeja in for Hanuma Vihari
The unimpressive Vihari, who managed just 16 and 8 in Adelaide, will make way for Jadeja. “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. It helps that Jadeja is a ‘gun fielder,’ and will help lift India’s fielding standards.
Rishabh Pant comes in for Saha
Saha was out to poor shots in both innings in Adelaide is likely to replace by Rishabh Pant. Pant had cracked an unbeaten hundred off just 73 balls in the second innings of India’s second warm-up game, which was played with the pink ball, against Australia ‘A’.
Rishabh Pant Madness 🔥
Scored 4, 4, 6, 4, 4 in the last 5 ball of the day to complete his century 💯 #AUSAvIND #RishabhPant #Vihari pic.twitter.com/hO61SgXDCr
— Times of Sports (@timesofsports) December 12, 2020
The young wicketkeeper wasn’t in good form in the IPL but had scored a hundred in the fourth and final Test in Sydney on India’s last tour to Australia. It helps that he’s a left-hander and can attack the ball, something which can make up for the ultra-conservative approach adopted by some of India’s top-order batsmen these days.
Shami’s place is likely to replaced by Siraj or Saini
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the rest of the Australian tour with a fractured arm. Shami was struck on the right arm, just under the elbow, by a rising Pat Cummins delivery on Saturday (December 19) evening in India’s shambolic second innings. He was immediately tended to by the Indian medical staff.
Shami is likely to be replaced by Siraj or Saini, though at the moment, Siraj, who took 3/83 in the first warm-up game, holds the edge. “The good thing is that both Siraj and Saini can generate good pace,” said the source.
