Likely Indian Playing XI for India vs Australia 1st Test 2018 at Adelaide: Hanuma Vihari, Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Number 7 & 8 Spots!
With the batting composition looking almost set, it is the choice of bowlers, which will be a cause of a concern for the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, ahead of the series opener.
India will play against Australia in the first Test match at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6. With the batting composition looking almost set, it is the choice of bowlers, which will be a cause of a concern for the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, ahead of the series opener. It will be interesting to see which player gets a spot in the final XI, on Thursday. IND vs AUS 1st Test 2018 Match Timing in IST: What Time Will India vs Australia Series Opener Begin in Adelaide.
The tour match against Cricket Australia XI gave a fair bit of idea of the possible XI that the Indian team will be playing against the Aussies in the first game, starting in a few days. Murali Vijay struck form, Cheteshwar Pujara was fluent in his strokeplay, while Virat Kohli and Anjinkya Rahane scored half-centuries too. KL Rahul was seen comfortable in the second innings. Virat Kohli Bowling Video: Watch Indian Captain Bowl a Couple of Overs During India vs Cricket Australia XI Practice Match at Adelaide.
Rishabh Pant becomes an automatic first-choice wicketkeeper, and picks for himself in the side. The question posing to Virat Kohli would be whom he will want on the seventh spot with Ravichandran Ashwin coming on the eighth.
It will be a toss-up between Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari, or Kuldeep Yadav. However, given how Vihari fared in the tour match (scoring a half-century) and being promoted to the number three spot in the second innings, it is highly likely that he will make to the playing XI.
Another question that will become a thorn in Kohli’s flesh would be to pick three fast bowlers amongst the five available – Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami. Sunil Gavaskar Criticises Australian Style of Cricket, Says 'Players Tend to Break the Line Between Cheating and Gamesmanship!'
Jasprit Bumrah looks the most certain of the lot. Mohammed Shami is the workhorse and is as effective with the old ball, as he is with the new one. For the third spot, it will be a toss-up between Ishant, Bhuvneshwar, and Umesh, with one between the latter two more likely to get into the playing XI.
India’s Likely XI Against Australia, 1st Test 2018-19: Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/UmeshYadav, and Mohammed Shami.
After drawing the T20I series 1-1, India would be hoping to grab on their best chance to win a Test series against Australia in Australia. With the first Test match starting in a few days, it will be exciting to see how the teams approach the series opener, beginning December 6. Stay tuned with us for all the latest updates about India vs Australia Test Series 2018-19!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2018 09:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).