India are all set to host Australia in a four-match Test series, starting February 9 in Nagpur. The series is crucial for India with respect to the World Test Championship (WTC) final

The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win at least three Tests in the series to qualify for the final, due to be held at the Oval in June 2023.

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s team combination has been a major talking point, with Shreyas Iyer remaining doubtful to take part in the series opener due to back injury.

With two days to for the iconic series, former cricketer Wasim Jaffer picked India’s playing XI, changing the batting position of in-form Shubman Gill.

Jaffer went with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as opening partners. He slotted Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3, followed by Virat Kohli and Shubman.

KS Bharat was preferred over Ishan Kishan as the designated wicketkeeper in Jaffer’s XI while the experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin found a spot in the team as spin-bowling all-rounders.

There was no place for Akshar Patel in Wasim Jaffer’s playing XI as he picked Kuldeep Yadav in the team. Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj were the two fast bowlers to complete the XI.

Wasim Jaffer's India XI for first Test versus Australia:

Rohit Sharma (c) KL Rahul (vc) Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj