Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne
The Team India think tank is seriously deliberating dropping Shubman Gill, with Rohit Sharma likely to return as an opener for the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on December 26.
If Gill is dropped, KL Rahul could bat at No. 3. Signs of a shake-up were visible during India’s nets session, where head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah had a lengthy chat for around 45 minutes near the centre wicket at the ‘G’. Later, Gambhir, Rohit and Agarkar engaged in another 20-30 minute conversation in the nets area, while Bumrah focused on his bowling. It was during these discussions that thoughts over the playing XI were shared, with Gambhir closely inspecting the pitch multiple times.
While the think tank considers bringing Washington Sundar into the XI and moving Rohit back to open, either Gill or Nitish Kumar Reddy will lose their spot. The team management will make a final decision on the XI after assessing the pitch on the morning of the match.
Rohit hasn’t been at his best since shifting to No. 6 in the batting order, following Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 201-run partnership, which paved the way for India’s stellar win in the first Test in Perth. Rohit in the middle-order in Adelaide and Brisbane was unproductive. Meanwhile, Rahul, as an opener, has been solid, and there’s a belief within the team that he can adapt to any role in the batting order, considering his form and confidence. On Tuesday, Rahul spent a considerable amount of time facing Washington and Ravindra Jadeja at the nets, while Rohit practised against the new ball, leaving many deliveries outside the off stump, hinting he could return to opening.
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With temperatures expected to hit nearly 40 degrees on Day 1, the pitch is likely to bake, potentially favouring the spinners. The team is leaning towards including Washington, but the question remains over who will make way for the Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who played in the series opener.
Gill, who missed the first Test due to a thumb injury, has scored 28, 31 and 1 in the series so far. While he hasn’t looked out of touch, there’s growing frustration over his inconsistency, particularly in SENA countries. Although Gill isn’t ruled out yet for the Boxing Day Test, his exclusion wouldn’t be surprising. Another possibility is Gill batting at No. 6, if he’s retained.
Washington and Jadeja can both bat and bowl, potentially reducing the need for Reddy’s bowling. However, dropping Reddy might be a tad unfair since he has been India’s third-highest run-scorer after Rahul and Jaiswal, with 179 runs in five innings at an average of 44, alongside taking three wickets in 27 overs.
India’s likely XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill/Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Australia’s XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland.
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