The fourth Test of the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from Jan 3, 2019.
Team India has retained the trophy after winning the third Test at MCG by 137 runs and has an assailable lead of 2-1 going into this important Test, as they chase history in form of their first ever Test series win down under.
Team India has already announced their 13-man squad for the SCG Test which sees KL Rahul, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav coming in for Ishant Sharma and Rohit Sharma. Ishant Sharma is struggling with a rib injury, while Rohit Sharma has returned to Mumbai after the birth of his first child with wife Ritika.
Team COC presents to you the predicted XI for the SCG Test
With KL Rahul being drafted in the team, more or less he might be included in the playing XI to replace Vihari as the opener. Rahul has scored just over 40 runs in the first two Tests and was dropped for the MCG Test match. Mayank Agarwal is most likely to hold onto his spot after his more than brilliant debut in MCG with scores of 76 and 42 in the two innings he batted.
The middle order is most likely to remain same with Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, And Rishabh Pant keeping their places in the batting order. Hanuma Vihari is most likely to go back to his position at no.6, after Rohit Sharma playing at the spot for two Tests.
Though the SCG pitch is likely to take spin, India will most probably go in with Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner, especially with a question mark over R Ashwin’s fitness. Kuldeep Yadav might get a shoo-in, but the Lords’ Test selection debacle might be still fresh on Virat Kohli’s mind.
Hanuma Vihari has been brilliant with the ball as a part-time spinner and might help Jadeja keep Australian batting in check in case the pitch spins.
With Ishant Sharma not fit for the SCG Test, Umesh Yadav will most probably join Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami to complete the fast bowling trio, something that has kept Australian bowling in check for the most of the series.
COC Predicted India XI:
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
