Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer on Thursday (30th June) picked his Indian XI for the rescheduled Test against England in Edgbaston.
The teams are slated to play the final Test of the five-Test series, which was postponed last year due to COVID-19, starting 1st July. India is currently leading the series 2-1 and would be eyeing a win to create the history.
On the eve of the game, the visitors suffered a major blow as skipper Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the match due to Covid-19, which he contracted during the warm-up game. His unavailability paved way for Jasprit Bumrah to become the first fast bowler in 35 years to lead Team India.
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However, with Rohit not being there, the opening slot has been left vacant and there are many speculations about who will open the innings alongside Shubman Gill. Notably, India is also without the services of KL Rahul, who is out due to groin injury.
Both Rohit and Rahul played a crucial role in the series last year. While the former is India’s top run-scorer in series, amassing 368 runs in four matches, including 127 at the Oval, his partner made 315 runs.
There are also many speculations about what playing XI will India field in the game. With head coach Rahul Dravid and stand-in skipper Bumrah mentioning that they will not reveal the XI ahead of the game, the curiosity has increased even more.
Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer has named his Indian XI for the fifth Test. Gill along with Cheteshwar Pujara are the two openers in the former cricketer’s team with Hanuma Vihari at No.3. Virat Kohli holds his No.4 position whereas the Ranji Trophy legend went with Shreyas Iyer at No.5.
Rishabh Pant is the wicketkeeper-batter in Jaffer’s side with Ravindra Jadeja at No.7. He picked R Ashwin ahead of Shardul Thakur at No.8 while Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj are the three frontline pacers in the side.
Here’s Jaffer Indian playing XI for the Test against England.
Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin,Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj
