Xtra Time Web Desk: A string of changes is expected in the Indian playing XI for the upcoming Boxing Day test against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground starting December 26, following the eight wickets loss to the hosts at Adelaide Oval. Virat Kohli and his team were bowled out for 36, the lowest by any Indian team in the history of test cricket. Wicket keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and opener Prithvi Shaw are sure to get the axe following their dismal outing in first Day Night test at Adelaide Oval.
Young Shubman Gill, who has been impressive in both practice games is seen as a replacement for Prithvi at least for the second test as Rohit Sharma is still under quarantine. Rishabh Pant too is very likely to replace Saha as the Bengal stumper looked all at sea in both the innings against the Australian pacers.
KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj are the two others in fray to enter the playing XI and those would be forced changes due to the absence of skipper Virat Kohli and senior pacer, Mohammed Shami, who is out with a fractured wrist.
If sources in the know of things are to be believed, despite his slump in form, Shaw was preferred over an in-form Gill because he had played in the last series in New Zealand and needed to be given at least one more game.
Since he has wasted his chances, it’s time for him to cool his heels before going back to the drawing board.
Not only has teams sorted his faulty technique, his fielding has been below par from the time of IPL as he has either been slow on the outfield or missed sitters like the one offered by Marnus Labuschagne, which cost his team 30 extra runs.
The Indian team management could mull promoting Hanuma Vihari up the order in the absence of Virat Kohli and have Rahul walking in at No 6. In that case the batting order may look like Mayank, Shubman, Cheteshwar, Ajinkya, Hanuma and Rahul with Pant going in at No 7 followed by the four bowlers.
Mohammed Siraj, looks to be the frontrunner to replace Shami following his decent outing in the practice game at Drummoyne Oval. It will be perfect reward for the talented pacer who endured a tragedy during the ongoing tour, having lost his father. The choice was between him and Navdeep Saini, but Siraj’s better show during the two practice games has tilted the scales in his favour and may see him making his test debut at the iconic MCG.