Xtra Time Web Desk: As expected there have been four changes in the Indian playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia starting on Saturday. Talented batsman Shubman Gill and rookie pacer Mohammed Siraj will get their test caps while Rishabh Pant is included in place of Wriddhiman Saha. Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja too makes a comeback in the side.
There was a speculation whether India will include Jadeja or not. But the practice sessions of last couple of days were a clear indication that he will play provided he is hundred percent fit. The all rounder cleared the fitness test on Thursday. Jadeja have been out for a while due to a hamstring injury he suffered while batting in the first T20I in Canberra. He also suffered a concussion in the same match.
The inclusion of Jadeja will no doubt strengthen the Indian bowling attack that has been weakened with the absence of Shami. Hanuma Vihari too retained his place in the playing XI as he has been preferred over KL Rahul by the team management.
As expected Prithvi Shaw got the axe along with Saha. Both looked at sea against the Australian pace batter of Starc, Hazzlewood and Cummins. Another opener in contention KL Rahul failed to win the trust of the team management despite his stupendous form with the bat in the white-ball formats. While Gill replaced Shaw at the top of the batting order, Jadeja comes in place of Kohli. The move will see stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari push themselves up in the batting order.
The bowling attack also sees a forced change with injured Shami making way for Siraj.
India playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ahwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.