The Indian team management made the first move in the off-field warfare against Australia ahead of the first Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, to be played from December 17, 2020.
The BCCI recently announced the Team India Playing XI for the day-night encounter starting on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval. This was a bold move from the Indian side, given that Australia, which is the one to do so a day before the match, have decided to keep their changes secret until toss.
Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha were chosen for the role of second opener and wicketkeeper in the Indian team, edging out Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant respectively. India also opted for Umesh Yadav as the third seamer to partner with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, while R Ashwin was the lone spinner chosen.
AUS v IND 2020-21: BCCI announces Team India Playing XI for the Adelaide D/N Test
Eminent commentator Harsha Bhogle lauded the Indian team’s move of naming the playing XI well in advance and tweeted, “Like the fact that India has announced the playing eleven up front. Shows clarity of thought. Like the spinner being picked, his will be a holding role. Have gone with the better keeper and have shown faith in the top six batsmen to get the runs.”
Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra opined that the selection of Shaw and Saha in the playing XI was debatable.
“It’s not often that India announces the playing XI on the eve of the test. This time they have. Shaw and Saha playing tomorrow. The most incredible thing about these selections is that you could argue for and against them with equal conviction,” he posted.
Sanjay Manjrekar, often known for his interesting views, was happy with the team selection, despite saying that Virat Kohli is difficult to predict when it comes to choosing his teams.
“Virat so difficult to read when it comes to playing XI. Tried to second guess him below. But love the 11 he has picked for tomorrow! Given recent past Test performances the importance it deserves,” he tweeted.
The first Test match begins on December 17, 9.30 AM IST onwards.
