Former Indian opener and seasoned analyst Aakash Chopra has picked India’s probable XI for the first Test against Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy starting on Thursday.
Rohit Sharma–led India will play against Australia in an all-important four-test match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which will decide India’s chances to qualify for World Test Championship. India will go into the contest without the services of Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah as their miss out due to injuries.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that KL Rahul will likely open the batting with the Indian skipper, saying:
“The Indian team have to give answers to a few big questions. I am seeing Rahul and Rohit opening. I am saying there might not be any change there, that’s what I generally feel. Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3 and (Virat) Kohli will be there at No. 4.”
Chopra feels that the team management will have a tough call in picking Shreyas Iyer’s replacement in the XI
Aakash Chopra stated, “A big question for the Indian team is who they want to play at No. 5. You don’t have a left-hander from top to bottom, and you don’t have Rishabh Pant as well. Shreyas Iyer usually used to be there, but now he is also not there. So who in place of Shreyas Iyer – that’s a big question.”
And the cricketer-turned-commentator went on to further add that Shubman Gill’s form might tempt team management to go ahead with him
“Their mind might go towards Shubman Gill because he has been doing so well for the last little while that they will not like to make him sit out. But is No. 5 ideal for him, maybe in the long-term or maybe now – we don’t know. This is going to be an interesting one,” Chopra further added.
KS Bharat Likely To be India’s First Choice wicketkeeper
The former India opener feels Srikar Bharat is likely to play ahead of Ishan Kishan to the No. 6 spot because of his superior wicketkeeping skills.
“If Surya gets his debut at No. 5, then you can easily go with KS Bharat. If Shubman Gill plays, maybe you start thinking about Ishan Kishan. I am just thinking if there is a disruptor,” Aakash Chopra further added.
Chopra feels Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are certainties, Aakash Chopra feels the choice between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav might be dictated by the conditions, explaining:
“After that, three spinners will play, in which Jaddu and Ashwin are certainties, but who will be the third spinner? If it is a rank turner, then Axar, or else my heart says you should play Kuldeep Yadav because he gets a lot of turn and you get a little variety,” concluded the former Indian opener.
Aakash Chopra concluded by picking Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami as his two frontline Seamers going into the first test match.