Visitors India are all set to take on the mighty Aussies in the Border Gavaskar Trophy with a pink-ball day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Taking to Twitter, the BCCI announced the team that will take on the hosts in the first Test. Virat Kohli, who will fly back to India after the first Test, will lead the side in the match.
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, the board has decided to go with young Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal as their two openers. Unfortunately, Shubhman Gill missed out on a spot while Wriddhiman Saha was preferred over Rishabh Pant despite the latter’s trailblazing ton (103* of 78 balls) in the second practice match.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been named as the only spinner on the side. As far as the pace bowling attack is concerned, Umesh Yadav will feature alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in place of Ishant Sharma, who is injured.
India Playing 11: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
UPDATE🚨: Here’s #TeamIndia’s playing XI for the first Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia starting tomorrow in Adelaide. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WbVRWrhqwi
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2020
On the other hand, Joe Burns, Cameron Green, and Steve Smith are all expected to be fit for the opening encounter. In the bowling department, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon will make their returns.