Team India Playing XI: Prithvi Shaw to open, Saha to keep wickets
BCCI has announced Team India’s playing XI for the first Test against Australia at Adelaide. The team sheet officiated by head coach Ravi Shastri was posted on social media at 1:21pm IST on Wednesday (December 16). This will be the only test to be led by captain Virat Kohli. Ajinkya Rahane will take over the responsibility from the Boxing Day Test.
Amidst social media division over who should open with Mayank Agarwal, Team India announced Prithvi Shaw will take the spot over KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Rishabh Pant who just scored a sizzling first class century in the day-night tour match against Australia is also sidelined – as the team trusted Wriddhiman Saha with the gloves.
Prithvi Shaw has scored 335 runs in 4 Tests at an average of 55.83. His career strike rate of over 86 depicts his ability to counter strike the bowling attacks at will. Even his first class strike rate is over 80. Team India would be hoping for a positive start from both their openers.
India will have the spinning services of Ravichandran Ashwin who is also decent with the bat. Hanuma Vihari can also bowl his part time spin if needed. With the absence of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav has been slotted in to the playing XI alongside Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Yadav represented Team India in 46 Tests taking 130 wickets at an average of 30.47. He would look to improve his bowling average against Australia which is currently at 45.85.
Team India Playing XI:
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
My dream team will feature Marcus Trescothick and Anil Kumble
