The BCCI announced the India Playing XI for the second Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day (Dec 26) onwards.
India has a lot to prove after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the first Test match at Adelaide, which included them being bowled out for their lowest Test score ever-36.
Meanwhile, the BCCI announced two debutants for the second Test at the MCG. Shubman Gill replaces Prithvi Shaw at the top of the batting order, while Mohammed Siraj will take Mohammad Shami’s place in the fast bowling unit.
Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Hanuma Vihari keep their places in the batting order, while Rishabh Pant takes over the keeping duties from Wriddhiman Saha.
AUS v IND 2020-21: BCCI announces Team India’s playing XI for the Boxing Day Test
Ravindra Jadeja comes in for Virat Kohli and will partner R Ashwin in the spin department, as India went for an all-rounder instead of a batsman. Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav complete a proper five bowler setup to take on the Australians from December 26 onwards.
These selection choices for the Indian team for the MCG Test have garnered divisive reactions from cricket experts and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar termed this as an ‘under pressure’ selection.
He tweeted, “Indian team for second Test is clearly an ‘under pressure’ selection. A bit like England, trying to cover all bases. Selection done, it’s execution time now...Good luck India!”
Another former India batsman Aakash Chopra highlighted the changes in the Indian team while being surprised that India went in with Jadeja in place of Kohli instead of a batsman.
“Shubman to open along with Mayank...who made his Test debut at the same venue in 2018. Siraj making his debut too. India hasn’t added another batsman for Kohli...instead Jadeja gets a game. Five bowlers including two spinners. Pant plays in place of Saha. 4 changes,” Chopra tweeted.
However, the biggest reaction came in form of a long thread on Twitter from renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle who highlight various outcomes of this team selection. He found it unfair to drop Shaw after just two innings and was also critical of playing musical chairs with the wicketkeepers’ place with Pant replacing Saha after just one game.
