Team India, who suffered a humiliating eight-wicket loss in the first Test will look to bounce back in the second encounter when they face Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting from December 26 (Saturday). The visitors, who will miss their regular skipper Virat Kohli, is likely to make an array of changes as they look to level terms in the series.
India’s batting was a complete mess during the second innings as they registered their lowest-ever total in history -36, beating their previous lowest of 42 runs against England in 1974. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal surrendered against the swing of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in the morning session of day 3.
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While it has left a dent on the confidence of the Indian cricketers, it will be an uphill task for them to regroup and come all guns blazing against the No.1 Test side in the world. In doing so, they are likely to make a couple of changes to their playing XI to revive their form.
Here is the predicted playing XI of Team India for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground:
MAYANK AGARWAL
Although he failed to get a big knock, Mayank Agarwal looked confident facing the world-class Australian fast bowlers. He was timing the ball and a big knock is on the way. He has been one of the formidable run-scorers for India in 2019 and the management will want him to step up when the chips are down
Mayank, who made his debut in Australia when India toured last time in 2018-19, will look to give his side a bright start as the visitors look to bounce back in the series.
KL RAHUL
KL Rahul played his last Test match in August last year against West Indies and since then, has been out of red-ball cricket owing to poor form. However, the selectors showed trust in the talented batsman on the basis of his exemplary form in the limited-overs.
The cricketer from Karnataka will have to live up to the expectations and form a good resistance with Mayank Agarwal in the Boxing Day Test. Moreover, this might be Rahul’s final opportunity to stake a claim in the Test side.
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CHETESHWAR PUJARA
The rock of India’s batting – Cheteshwar Pujara has blown hot and cold ever since he guided India to their first-ever series win in Down Under in 2018-19. He has not looked at his personal best and will be keen to hit the strides against the Aussies.
Meanwhile, in the absence of Virat Kohli, who will be travelling back home to be with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is due to give birth to their first child, all eyes will be on Pujara to lead India’s batting in the remaining Test matches.
Also Read: Watch – Pat Cummins Removes Cheteshwar Pujara With A Perfect Delivery
AJINKYA RAHANE
The absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli will see Ajinkya Rahane step up to the task. The veteran batsman from Mumbai didn’t fire in the last couple of years and a big knock is due from him for a long time now. The Boxing Day Test might provide the right fuel for Rahane to play a captain’s knock and lead the side from the front.
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SHUBHMAN GILL
The young batsman from Punjab is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. His fluent shot-making skills and temperament sets him apart from his contemporaries. Shubhman Gill was in line to make his Test debut in the pink-ball game but the management showed trust in Prithvi Shaw. However, the deadlock will finally break and the world will see a glimpse of Gill in red-ball cricket.
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This will be a massive opportunity for the right-handed batsman to seal his berth showing his abilities against the best bowling attack in the world.
RISHABH PANT
The young wicket-keeper batsman, who bursts on to the scene as the successor of MS Dhoni has fallen off the radar owing to his inconsistency with the bat. However, this time around, Rishabh Pant is likely to get a long following Wriddhiman Saha’s poor show with the bat.
All eyes will be on the youngster from Delhi as he returns to Australia where he became the first Indian wicket-keeper batsman to score a century in Australia when they toured last time in 2018-19.
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RAVINDRA JADEJA
Ravindra Jadeja suffered concussion and hamstring injury during the second T20I against Australia and missed the third tie and the pink-ball contest. However, the cricketer has recovered in time and is likely to slot back in the playing XI. Hanuma Vihari, who scored a valiant century in the warm-up game before failing in the first Test, will have to make for the all-rounder.
Jadeja brings a different dynamics to the game with his ability to contribute in all the three departments. He will add depth in the bowling and will provide Inda with the luxury to field five players. On the other hand, Jadeja has been in stellar form with the bat in the limited-overs and the management will want him to continue his run.
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RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN
The veteran off-spinner was India’s most successful bowler in the first Test returning with four wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin defied all the critics, who questioned his abilities in overseas conditions. The cricketer from Tamil Nadu will have to continue his exploits as the visitors look to bounce back from the humiliating defeat.
Moreover, the management will want Ashwin to contribute with the bat as well in the lower-order in the remaining Test matches.
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UMESH YADAV
Umesh Yadav slotted in the playing XI in the absence of senior paceman Ishant Sharma, who is out of the entire tour due to an injury he suffered during IPL. Yadav, who returned with three wickets in the first game will have to assume more responsibilities in the absence of Mohammed Shami and lead the attack with Jasprit Bumrah in the coming games.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
All hopes will be pinned on Jasprit Bumrah as India begin their march to level the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The strike bowler only managed to pick two wickets on a turf where Aussie fast bowlers ran a riot.
Bumrah, who finished as the joint highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps will be desperate to be at his best as India look to bounce back in the series.
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MOHAMMED SIRAJ
Mohammed Shami’s untimely injury in the first Test which ruled him out of the entire series will open doors for Mohammed Siraj, who has done brilliantly in first-class cricket. A perfect combination of swing and pace, Siraj can be a force to reckon with in the upcoming Boxing Day contest.
Incidentally, he was in good rhythm during the warm-up games and will be desperate to deliver the goods against the No.1 side in the world.