India during the day 3 of the first test versus Australia scored their lowest test score ever and was all out for just 36 runs.
A dismal performance by the team on Day 3 of the first test meant that they broke records even records of the century till date. The score of 36 runs was the lowest test score of Team India in this century. With Virat Kohli on parental duties will not be available for the rest of the series, India suffered another huge blow in the form of Mohd. Shami who was injured while batting on day 3. Later his reports stated that he had fractured his wrist and will be out for the remainder of the series.
The team will be now led by Ajinkya Rahane and with Rohit Sharma who will join the team from the 3rd test, the task ahead of the Indian team is an uphill task. There are a lot of changes that are expected as Gill will be coming into the test team to replace Shaw whose performance in the first test was questioned heavily by the critics. The other change that would certainly be Rishabh Pant who will replace Saha in the lineup. Saha had a brief stay in the crease for his 13 runs in the first test.
KL Rahul will be replacing Virat Kohli who is on parental leave after the first test and most importantly it will be Mohd. Siraj who will replace Mohd. Shami in the second test. The unavailability of Ishant Sharma was already denting the Indian pace attack but now Shami is also out injured the pace attack now will heavily rely on Jasprit Bumrah.
Who should open?
Mayank Agarwal & Shubman Gill – after a poor outing and recording the lowest test score for India the openers would need some motivation before they go out to bat. The second test match will be very crucial for the team cause it may decide which way the series will go forward.
India will definitely look forward to both their openers to give the team a strong start in the first innings itself. Mayank in the first test match too didn’t have a great performance to boast about adding his misfield to it which might have costed India a pretty good amount of lead.
Middle-Order
Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul & Ajinkya Rahane – Pujara was a pillar for the team during the first innings where he made sure the Indian batting didn’t face a collapse but he failed miserably in the second innings. On the other hand Ajinkya Rahane would love to come out on crease with positive approach after his error in communication with Virat Kohli in the first innings which led to the run-out and probably India’s best chance to take a mammoth lead. But they have to put those thoughts aside and play positively with KL Rahul coming into the test match.
Wicket Keeper
Rishabh Pant – After a poor performance by Saha in the first test the team management would be skeptical about giving him another go based on his wicket keeping skills but he hasn’t performed with the bat yet and thus it opens up the door for the inclusion of Rishabh Pant. The inclusion of Rishabh Pant also gives India a left handed batsman in the middle order which India might have been missing int the first test.
All-Rounders
Hanuma Vihari & Ravichandran Ashwin – Although Vihari’s performance in the first test was not at all upto the mark but he is far away from losing his spot in the squad and his part-time spin bowling is an option which would help the team during rotation of the fast bowlers and giving them rest in between spells.
Ravichandran Ashwin although looked pretty solid with bat on day 1 but that was too brief as he got out on the 3rd ball on day 2 and also in the second innings he lost his wicket early on the first ball itself. But he picked up wickets in the test but to help India’s cause he has to also step up with his batting ability as it has been sometime that he is not performing well with the bat.
Bowlers
Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah & Mohd. Siraj – India was already missing Ishant Sharma in this tour and the injury of Mohd. Shami added to the injury woes which the team had to face unfortunately. Umesh performed well in the first test and he will be given the same task to get the openers early and bring the momemntum in favour of India.
While Jasprit Bumrah has been clinical with the ball but he will be the leader of the pack in the second test versus Australia. Mohd. Siraj would have love to grasp the opportunity ahead and perform well in the test match.
Possible Starting XI
| Shubman Gill |
| Mayank Agarwal |
| Cheteshwar Pujara |
| KL Rahul |
| Ajinkya Rahane (C) |
| Rishabh Pant (WK) |
| Hanuma Vihari |
| Ravichandran Ashwin |
| Umesh Yadav |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
| Mohammed Siraj |