Glenn McGrath, legendary Australian pacer suggested two ‘potential’ changes in India’s playing XI for the Boxing Day Test match against Australia in Melbourne starting on December 26.
Glenn McGrath’s comments came after India dramatically lost the first day-night Test in Adelaide by 8 wickets on the 3rd Day despite taking a lead of 62 runs by the end of Day 2 as they registered their lowest ever Test score of 36.
Glenn McGrath: India Needed To Get A Win On Board Which Didn’t Happen
Things changed quickly and in fact, in a matter of an hour on 3rd day’s play as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins made a mockery of the Indian batting line-up on Saturday to bowl them out for their lowest ever score of 36 in Test cricket. It took Aussies only 21 overs to chase down the target of 90.
“India had to start well. They needed to get a win on the board, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened. It was an unbelievable bowling performance by Australia,” said McGrath in the post-match show on Sony Sports Network.
Australia opener Joe Burns announced his return to form with an unbeaten fifty as the hosts registered a comfortable win. Joe Burns performed poorly in 1st innings of 1st Test and the two practice warm-up matches too.
Glenn McGrath: Virat Kohli’s Absence Leaves Opportunity To Other Batsmen To Step Up And Deliver
India’s problems are set to be multiplied as captain Virat Kohli will fly back home now for the birth of his first child and Ajinkya Rahane will step up to lead India in his absence.
“Virat Kohli is such an impact player. Without him, it leaves a big hole but at the same time it leaves an opportunity to other players to put their hand up,” Glenn McGrath said.
The former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath named KL Rahul as Virat Kohli’s replacement as he has experience of playing Test cricket behind him.
“Maybe KL Rahul can come in for Virat Kohli,” he said.
The other change that McGrath suggested was at the top of the order as he wants to see Shubman Gill to debut in Tests as he looked positive in the solitary ODI game against Australia where he scored 33 runs besides having a decent IPL 2020 where he amassed 440 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders.
“The other option India have is Shubman Gill, who actually came out looking positive in one day series, he didn’t seemed to be overawed by the stage, that to me would be one potential change at the top,” Glenn McGrath added.
When asked how he would deal with a horribly out-of-form Prithvi Shaw, Glenn McGrath said: “They need to know internally how he’s going. The captain, the coaches, the support staff will have to know that. The thing that I’m worried about is that he got out in the same way in two innings. That is a concern against bowlers like Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc. They gonna come at you always. The internal people will know it,” he said.
India may bring in as many as 4 changes with Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill to debut and KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to be back in the Test arena. Out of form Prithvi Shaw, homebound Virat Kohli, 1st Test failure keeper Wriddhiman Saha and injured Mohammed Shami will make way for the quartet.
Prithvi Shaw, like Australian incumbent opener Joe Burns is also not in the form as shown in two warm-up games and IPL 2020 which concluded before the Australian tour. His selection in the 1st Test was undoubtedly a baffling one.