The excitement around the India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) first Test is building up, and former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has already made his bold predictions for India’s playing XI. The first Test will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 21, and Shastri has opted for a blend of youth and experience in his team selection.
Among the notable inclusions, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel are set to play pivotal roles, while in-form Sarfaraz Khan and veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin miss out. Let’s break down Ravi Shastri’s thoughts and the reasoning behind his choices for India’s lineup.
Shubman Gill to Open the Batting in Rohit Sharma’s Absence
With Rohit Sharma’s availability uncertain for the first Test due to personal commitments following the birth of his child, Shastri has turned to Shubman Gill to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gill, who has proven himself as a capable opener in recent years, will take on the challenge in what promises to be a high-pressure match in Australia.
Shastri emphasized Gill’s recent form and temperament, stating, “It’s a tough call for the selectors, but Shubman Gill is a strong candidate to open the batting in Rohit’s absence. He’s done well in Australia before, and his technique and temperament make him a solid choice.”
This marks a significant opportunity for Gill, who has been in excellent form across formats, to cement his place in the Indian team’s opening slot. Shastri also acknowledged that although other options like Abhimanyu Easwaran have been considered, Gill’s experience and ability to adjust in different conditions put him ahead of the pack.
KL Rahul at No. 3: A Key Role in the Middle Order
KL Rahul’s inclusion at No. 3 in the batting order is another important decision made by Shastri. Rahul has often opened the innings for India, but his ability to adapt to different positions makes him a versatile middle-order batter. In a challenging series against Australia, Rahul’s composure and technique will be crucial.
The No. 3 position has been vital for India, especially in overseas conditions, and Shastri’s confidence in Rahul’s ability to handle this role comes at a time when the team needs consistency in the middle order. Shastri has been a long-time advocate of Rahul’s skills and believes the batsman will thrive in this position under pressure.
Dhruv Jurel Gets the Nod Over Sarfaraz Khan
One of the most talked-about selections in Shastri’s XI is the omission of Sarfaraz Khan, despite his strong performances in domestic cricket. Instead, Shastri has picked young batter Dhruv Jurel, who impressed during the recent India A series in Australia. Jurel’s calmness under pressure and maturity with the bat earned him a spot in the middle order.
Shastri praised Jurel’s temperament, saying, “What stood out the most was his calmness under pressure. You could see that he wasn’t fidgety or nervous, even when the game was on the line. That mental toughness is something you need in big series, and Jurel has it in abundance.”
While Sarfaraz Khan has been prolific in domestic cricket, Shastri’s faith in Jurel’s temperament over sheer numbers speaks volumes about the type of player India needs in challenging conditions like those in Australia.
Rishabh Pant: A Crucial Wicketkeeper-Batter
Rishabh Pant, who has already established himself as one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, retains his place behind the stumps. Pant’s aggressive style of batting, coupled with his ability to change the game in a matter of minutes, makes him an indispensable part of the Indian lineup.
His contributions, especially in overseas conditions, will be crucial for India in putting up competitive totals against a formidable Australian side.
The Bowling Attack: Jasprit Bumrah to Lead
With Rohit Sharma likely unavailable, Jasprit Bumrah will take over as the captain for the first Test. Bumrah has proven his leadership skills in the past, and Shastri believes the fast bowler is the right choice to lead the team in this crucial match.
Bumrah’s importance extends beyond just captaincy; he will be the spearhead of India’s pace attack, which also includes Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Bumrah’s pace and ability to extract bounce and movement from Australian tracks will be key to India’s success.
Shastri has also shown confidence in India’s spin department, with Ravindra Jadeja (or Washington Sundar) expected to contribute with the ball. The combination of pace and spin provides India with the right balance for the conditions in Perth.
Ravi Shastri’s Predicted India XI for the First Test vs Australia:
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar
- Nitish Reddy
- Jasprit Bumrah (c)
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Siraj
Key Takeaways:
- Shubman Gill is expected to open the batting in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
- KL Rahul will slot in at No. 3, adding stability to the middle order.
- Dhruv Jurel replaces Sarfaraz Khan, with Shastri citing Jurel’s temperament as the deciding factor.
- Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side, taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma.
- The bowling attack is spearheaded by Bumrah and Siraj, with support from Jadeja or Sundar.
With this lineup, India will be looking to take a strong stance in the first Test against Australia. Shastri’s choices have sparked debate, but there’s no denying the strategic thinking behind his selections. Will these bold moves pay off for India? Only time will tell as the first Test begins on November 21 in Perth.
