Xtra Time Web Desk: Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian side in the three day practice match against County Select XI at Durham starting from Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Indian captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane have deen advised rest by the medical team. As per the medical update shared by the BCCI, Kohli felt some stiffness in his back on late Monday evening and he has been advised rest from the three-day first-class warm-up game by the BCCI Medical Team. Rahane had mild swelling around his left upper hamstring. He was given an injection. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring him, and he is expected to fully recover well in time for the first Test against England starting from 4th August at Nottingham.
The visitors have decided to rest as many as five players from the World Test Championship final squad in a bid to try and see the other players in the squad ahead of the five match test series against England which gets underway next month at Nottingham from August 4. Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma has also been rested for the three day first class game at the Emirates Riverside ground.
As expected Mayank Agarwal will open the batting with Rohit in the absence of Shubman Gill. The youngster has been ruled out of the series with an injury. Cheteshwar Pujara will bat at No 3 followed by Hanuma Vihari and KL Rahul, who will also keep wickets as both Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha is not available for selection. Both Saha and Pant are yet to join the squad at Chester le Street.
Left arm spinner Axar Patel gets an opportunity in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. The off spinner has recently played a four day game for Surrey in County Championship against Somerset. Axar will partner Ravindra Jadeja. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj will form the pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah.
Rohit Sharma has won the toss and decided to bat first. The practice match will be played behind closed doors but it can be watched live on the You Tube channel of Durham County. The Indian players are wearing black armbands to mourn the sad demise of former India cricketer Yashpal Sharmaji, who sadly passed away on 13th July after a cardiac arrest
India Playing XI : Rohit Sharma (Capt), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Md Siraj