Xtra Time Web Desk: In a bid to bolster the batting the Indian team management can include Ishan Kishan ahead of KS Bharat as a wicket-keeper for the fourth and final test against Australia starting at the Narendra Modi stadium from Thursday, March 9, 2023. Bharat has so far failed to impress with the bat, having scored a total of 57 runs in five innings. Ishan has been given an extended batting at the practice session at Narendra Modi stadium indicating that the wicket keeper batter from Jharkhand can make his test debut.
The 22 yards for the fourth test is expected to be a good batting wicket and hence India might be inclined to play Ishan who has been a regular in white ball format ever since Rishabh Pant is not available. Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid did spend a lot of time working with Kishan as he received two separate hits in the nets.
The hosts can also make another change as Mohammed Shami is likely to replace Mohammed Siraj. The fast bowler from Hyderabad will be rested ahead of the ODI series. The team management is most likely to give Shubman Gill another opportunity which will mean KL Rahul will have to sit out for two consecutive test matches.
The loss in Indore has forced Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid to change plans. While a confident Rohit was pondering a lush green pitch to prepare for the WTC Final, things have changed now. Instead, Team India is looking to keep a resurgent Australia at the bay.
There is also a thinking that the hosts can go in with an extra batter in Suryakumar Yadav, dropping a pacer. In that case only Umesh Yadav will play as a specialist pacer.
India’s likely playing XI for 4th Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav/ Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan(WK), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami