On the day of Christmas (oh and Boxing Day Test Eve), India named their playing XI for the second Test at MCG.
The playing XI is – Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav. Here are some takeaways from the XI India announced.
Common sense prevails
There were rumours of KL Rahul possibly replacing Hanuma Vihari in the XI, which seemed very baffling. Vihari batted at 4 in India’s two tour games, and looked comfortable in the top order as his four innings included a century at SCG.
While Vihari hasn’t set the world on fire yet in Test cricket, batting at 4 will suit his style more than batting at 6, where he has struggled to accelerate when required.
With Vihari set to bat at 4 for the remainder for the series, the onus will be on him and Pujara to tire the Aussie attack and allow the likes of Pant and Jadeja to take advantage of a tiring bowling attack.
India were caught with their Pants down in the first Test. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Gill and Siraj debuts a step in right direction
While I still firmly believe Shubman Gill should’ve made his Test debut at the Basin Reserve, a Boxing Day Test debut is a story he can brag about for the rest of his life. An attacking-minded batsman, Gill loves to score big runs – and has the defensive technique to survive tough spells. Only time will tell if he gets the long run he deserves.
As for Mohammad Siraj, it’ll be an emotional debut for him having lost his father a month ago. Living the dream his father had hoped for, Siraj will be charged up and ready to rip in with the ball.
Justin Langer will ensure his boys don’t take Siraj lightly as the pacer from Hyderabad took 8-59 against Australia A in 2018 at Bangalore – dismissing Usman Khawaja, Kurtis Patterson, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Mitch Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser and Chris Tremain in a tremendous spell of fast bowling.
What Gill and Siraj’s debut also ensures is that it gives the current crop of uncapped Indian cricketers assurance that their FC performances in Ranji Trophy and for India A will be rewarded with a Test cap.
Indian think tank’s lack of clarity exposed
When Shubman Gill was controversially left out of India’s Test XI at the Basin Reserve earlier this year despite his performances for India A against New Zealand A in the FC games leading into the Test series, the Indian think tank defended the decision – citing Gill was being looked as a middle order option.
Come the Boxing Day Test, Gill is set to open alongside Mayank Agarwal.
While Gill is flexible to bat anywhere from 1-6, the lack of clarity on where he would be batting this series is being exposed. From being considered as a middle order option, Gill will be opening instead. Be clear with your decisions Indian selectors, don’t contradict them.
Chance for Jadeja to show batting prowess
Since the beginning of 2018, Ravindra Jadeja has scored 693 runs in Test cricket at an average of 53.31 with six fifties and one century.
With Ravi Ashwin set to lead the spin attack, Jadeja will be batting in the top. With a golden opportunity up the order, Jadeja can show his abilities with the bat and prove he’s worthy to play Test cricket as a batting all rounder outside of the subcontinent.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
The choice of including Siraj is looking like an inspired decision.
Nick
Roar Guru
And untold fumbles and juggles today as well. Gloves like shark fins
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
To this point, no wides, no balls or leg byes. Ten byes.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Pant has improved, but given the diabolical team fielding performance in Adelaide, this is a dangerous compromise.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Pant kept well behind the wickets last time he toured Australia. Not expecting MCG pitch to spin much and with no Kohli, Pant brings the X factor India needs now
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Regarding Gill, the Indian selectors need to be clear where they want him rather than saying he's a middle order option and then making him open on debut. Sharma - been in quarantine with no batting practice at all leading up to third test. Too risky to play him in third test with no match practice since IPL final. Vihari deserves to play the whole series. He hasn't had the luxury like the other Indian batsmen to boost his average at home as he's only played one home Test. Vihari was asked to open in his third test. He deserves a long run and 4 will suit him. Bumrah - he's known for bowling long spells in Ranji Trophy so I don't think he'll get tired that some may expect if he bowls long spells in this test. Addition of Jadeja also ensures the bowling workload will most likely be shared rather than burdened on the quicks
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Lots of pundits predicted these exact changes. I'll admit to looking forward to Gills batting. I've heard great things about him.
Paul
Roar Guru
As always, some interesting points, Arnab. You made some harsh criticisms of the Indian selectors for asking Shubman Gill to open the batting in this Test and you also made the assumption that Vihari will bat 4, for the rest of the series. If Rohit Sharma was fit, he'd be an automatic choice to open along with Agarwal and Gill would bat 4. I could even see exactly that happening in the Sydney Tests. It's not the selectors fault Shaw is not batting to expectations or that Rohit is injured. If either of them were capable of batting at the top of the order, IMO Gill would not be there. You've also placed a lot of faith in Pujara and Vihari tiring the Aussie attack so Pant and Jadeja can go to town, but what happens if that doesn't happen? I doubt greatly either have the technique necessary to rebuild the innings if India is 4 for 80 or 5 for 120. Happy to be proven wrong but I think it's a bad move to drop Saha who's a better defensive batsman. I also wonder what Indian fans will be thinking when Pant misses any chances that come his way? One of the keys to this game will be how Rahane uses his strike weapon, Bumrah. He's the best Indian bowler in Australian conditions by some distance and the temptation could be to bowl him for long spells. If that happens, exactly what you said about Pant & Jadeja cashing in on a tired attack, could happen in reverse.
Paul
Roar Guru
I was thinking exactly the same thing.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Betcha Ashwin and Jajeja will be questioning Saha's omission during their spells
Tony
Roar Guru
With Kohli safely back at home, it falls to this Indian team to atone for the Adelaide debacle. They all know that they are just one more bad performance away from finding themselves out of the Indian team for some considerable time. It will be interesting to see how they deal with that pressure.