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Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Indian crew through the second Test
Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian facet got here again strongly within the Boxing Day Test to register an eight-wicket defeat on the MCG, shrugging off recollections of their dramatic batting collapse of the primary Test. Set a goal of 70 after Australia have been dismissed for 200 of their second innings on Tuesday, the touring celebration obtained to the goal for the lack of opener Mayank Agarwal (5) and Cheteshwar Pujara (3).
Shubman Gill, who hit seven fours in a powerful knock, was unbeaten on 35 whereas stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane was within the center on 27. Rahane was additionally adjudged Player of the Match for his gutsy ton within the first innings.
India at present discover themselves in a commanding place, having defeated Australia in a complete method on the MCG. However, after Rohit Sharma’s return to the set-up, the crew administration is spoilt for selections forward of the third Test in Sydney. Despite outclassing the Tim Paine-led facet within the second Test, the Indian crew is probably going to usher in a number of adjustments for the Sydney Test, scheduled to begin from January 7.
While the Indian crew administration has reportedly added Shardul Thakur to the Test squad, T Natarajan could possibly be making his debut with the purple ball, in accordance with sources. Natarajan may pip Shardul and Navdeep Saini because the left-arm pacer brings variation to the tempo assault.
India had additionally handed debuts to Gill and Mohammed Siraj in Melbourne the place each had a fruitful stint. While Gill scored 45 and 35* in first and second innings respectively, Siraj plucked 5 wickets.
“The selectors had added Shardul Thakur (Mumbai paceman) as a replacement for Mohammed Shami (out with a fractured forearm), and there is Navdeep Saini too, but it’s very much likely that Natrajan would be preferred given that he brings variation to the attack. Also, Like Mitchell Starc does for Nathan Lyon, he would create footmarks which spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can exploit,” a supply was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
“Rohit can either open the innings or come at No. 5 since he can then get time to find his groove after quarantining recently. If he plays in the middle-order, KL can open the innings, or it can be vice-versa,” the supply additional revealed.
If deemed match, Rohit will open the innings with Mayank Agarwal or Shubman Gill within the Sydney Test. While many would name for Agarwal’s omission to accommodate Rohit, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels in any other case. Gavaskar has mentioned that Hanuma Vihari ought to be dropped instead of Rohit, with Gill being slotted into the center order. India additionally has an in-form KL Rahul to open the innings.
India head coach Ravi Shastri has additionally mentioned that the crew administration will first have a chat with Rohit earlier than taking any name. The prolific opener, who led Mumbai Indians to their fifth IPL T20 title in December, suffered a hamstring harm through the T20 event within the UAE.
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