The first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will begin on November 22. The opening match of the series will be held in Perth, and Team India is preparing vigorously for the contest. This first encounter will not be easy for the Australian team in Perth. However, a challenge for India is that regular captain Rohit Sharma will not be playing the first Test match, and Shubman Gill has also fractured his thumb.
Additionally, senior batsman Virat Kohli has not been in great form recently, and there are concerns about KL Rahul as well, as he has been struggling with the bat. Despite this, under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, Team India is expected to field a playing XI that will surely give the hosts a tough time.
Predicted Playing XI for India in the Perth Test:
With the absence of Rohit Sharma, India will field an XI for the first Test in Perth. Rohit’s absence weakens India’s batting order, so KL Rahul will likely open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill, who has a fractured thumb, will be replaced by Devdutt Padikkal at number three. Padikkal was a part of India A during the Australia tour and impressed with his batting performances, making it likely that he will be included in the playing XI.
In terms of pace bowling, Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Reddy could make their Test debuts if selected. As for spin options, either Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin could be chosen for the match. The middle-order will be handled by Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rishabh Pant, who will also keep wickets.
India’s Possible Playing XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah (Captain), Harshit Rana, and Mohammed Siraj.