Xtra Time Web Desk: Ace all rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill on Wednesday spent long hours at the Melbourne Cricket Ground nets, indicating they have a very fair chance of making it into the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia which starts from Saturday. With Indian captain Virat Kohli and pace spearhead Mohammed Shami not available for the remainder of the test series, there are already two spots where a change is obvious. KL Rahul is most likely to replace Kohli while it will be a toss between Siraj and Saini as to who replaces Shami.
Apart from these two forced changes, there can be a few others too after India’s dismal batting performance in the second innings in the first Test, going by the net sessions on Wednesday. Gill, yet to make his Test debut, looked in fine touch against the seamers at the MCG nets and appears to have a bright chance to play the Boxing Day test. Whether he will open the batting or come in at No 4 is yet to be decided. Prithvi Shaw, whose technique against the in-coming delivery was exposed in both innings of the day-night Test, was also spotted in the nets with batting coach Vikram Rathour.
Jadeja meanwhile, bowled an hour-long spell to confirm his fitness. The all-rounder had missed the final two T20Is and the first Test due to a concussion and a hamstring injury suffered during the first T20I. After seeing R Ashwin’s performance in the first Test – he picked up 4 wickets on Day 2 of the pink ball Test – India might lean towards fielding two spinners in the second Test.
If India does play Jadeja, Ashwin and three seamers, then Hanuma Vihari will have to sit out. Another obvious change will be the wicket-keeper’s slot. Rishabh Pant, who had a long session at the nets is touted to replace Wriddhiman Saha as the Bengal stumper looked all at sea against the Australian pace attack.
With two more practice sessions before the test match, a lot will depend upon the wicket and conditions.