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In a surprising turn of events, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma welcomed a baby boy on November 15 and is now set to travel to Australia just in time for the first Test against the hosts at Perth Stadium. This news comes after initial reports suggested that Rohit might miss the opening encounter due to personal commitments. However, with the latest updates from the Press Trust of India, Rohit’s availability has given a massive boost to Team India.
With Rohit back at the helm, let’s dive into what could be India’s strongest XI for the highly anticipated series opener against Australia.
Table of content
- 1 India’s Probable Top Five: Stability at the Top
- 2 Who Takes the Crucial Number Six Spot? Dhruv Jurel Gets the Nod
- 3 Jadeja’s Return and Spin Dilemma: Sundar Over Ashwin?
- 4 Pace Attack: Bumrah, Siraj, and Harshit Rana
- 5 India’s Strongest XI for 1st Test vs Australia (If Rohit Sharma Returns)
- 6 Key Takeaways
- 7 Share this:
- 8 Like this:
- 9 Related
India’s Probable Top Five: Stability at the Top
If Rohit Sharma indeed makes it to the playing XI, he will open the innings alongside young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pair has been successful in providing solid starts, and their experience will be crucial in facing Australia’s fiery pace attack on the seamer-friendly Perth track.
The in-form Shubman Gill is expected to slot in at number three. Fresh off a remarkable hundred against New Zealand, Gill will aim to carry his form into this challenging away series. Following him, the middle order will see India’s backbone—Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Both players are known for their ability to counter-attack, making them vital against a potent Australian bowling lineup.
Projected Top Five:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
Who Takes the Crucial Number Six Spot? Dhruv Jurel Gets the Nod
With Sarfaraz Khan struggling against New Zealand’s bowlers and KL Rahul nursing an elbow injury, India’s number six position is up for grabs. In a surprising move, Dhruv Jurel might get the nod. The young batter impressed selectors with two flamboyant fifties in recent domestic fixtures, making a strong case for his inclusion in the Test XI.
Jadeja’s Return and Spin Dilemma: Sundar Over Ashwin?
India’s spin-bowling all-rounder slot will undoubtedly be filled by Ravindra Jadeja, given his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. However, the number eight spot sees a toss-up between Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar.
Given the seam-friendly conditions at Perth, India might opt for Washington Sundar, who brings added batting depth. Sundar’s impressive performances against New Zealand, where he bagged 16 wickets in two Tests, make him a strong contender over Ashwin. His overspin and ability to bowl in tough conditions add variety to India’s attack.
Pace Attack: Bumrah, Siraj, and Harshit Rana
India’s pace department will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with the ever-reliable Mohammed Siraj supporting him. The third seamer’s spot could be a toss-up between Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Reports suggest that Harshit Rana might edge out Prasidh due to his raw pace and ability to extract bounce on the hard Perth pitch.
Projected Bowling Line-Up:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Harshit Rana
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
India’s Strongest XI for 1st Test vs Australia (If Rohit Sharma Returns)
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Harshit Rana
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma’s availability bolsters India’s chances, bringing experience and leadership to the top order.
- The potential inclusion of Dhruv Jurel could be a bold move, adding fresh energy to the middle order.
- India may opt for a four-pacer strategy to exploit the Perth conditions, making Washington Sundar a preferred spin option over Ashwin.
With a balanced mix of youth and experience, this Indian lineup is poised to take on a formidable Australian side, aiming for a strong start to the series.
