Team India’s Playing XI for 2nd Test: Team India’s playing XI for the second Melbourne Test match has been announced on Friday by the management. Shubman Gill, Mohd Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant finally break into the final XI.
The all-important Boxing Day Test will begin from Saturday with Australia already taking the lead 1-0 in the four-match test series. India will lock horns against the mighty Aussies in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli.
Gill and Siraj to Debut:
Ajinkya Rahane led side will have two debutants for the second test match, Opener Shubman Gill and pacer Mohd Siraj.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has been replaced by Rishabh Pant while Ravindra Jadeja has recovered his concussion and has been brought in to the side.
Prithwi Shaw who failed miserably in the two innings of the first test has been axed from the eleven making a way for the debutant Shubman Gill.
Shubman Gill will be partnering with Mayank Agarwal for the second Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both the openers will make sure to open the innings well and stitch a match-winning partnership.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant who has been out of the format for quite a time now has been brought in. Pant fired at Aussies bowlers in the second practice game. Pant will be required to play a fearless brand of cricket which is the need of the hour.
The regular skipper, Virat Kohli also left a message for the team before he left Australia to “play a fearless brand of Cricket. Show intent and regardless of the result just be at your best.”
Mohammad Siraj comes in place of Mohammad Shami. The senior speedster has been ruled out of the whole series after he took a blow in his arm. A nasty short-delivery from Pat Cummins put him out of the series.
Team India’s Playing XI for the 2nd Test Match:
Ajinkya Rahane ©, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj.
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