KL Rahul leading India despite Rohit Sharma in team against WA XI; Virat Kohli rested along with Suryakumar Yadav

Xtra Time Web Desk: It was surprising to see KL Rahul leading the Indian team despite Rohit Sharma’s presence for the second practice match against Western Australia XI at WACA on Thursday. The Indian team management has decided to rest Virat Kohli. The star batter was rested in the first practice game against Western Australia XI as well. Kohli though was seen fielding in the slips. It is learnt that Virat will only field while Rohit will only bat in this practice game.

The team management did not include Suryakumar Yadav and Yuzuvendra Chahal in the playing XI. The basic idea is to give each and every member some game time. At the moment there are only 14 players in Perth, with Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out due to back injury. Mohammed Shami, who has reached Brisbane on Thursday will join the squad on Friday

Talking about captaincy, the team management wants to give Rahul an opportunity to lead the team, in case Rohit Sharma is not available for any matches since it is a long tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a brilliant 52 off 35 balls has been rested. KL Rahul has been included in his place. Rahul will open the batting with Rohit. It will mean, Rishabh Pant, who was tried as an opener in the first practice game will drop down the batting order. Similarly, Ravichandran Ashwin will also get an opportunity to play in place of Yuzvendra Chahal.

Meanwhile, Rahul has won the toss and decided to field first. All eyes will be on Arshdeep Singh, who impressed everyone in the first practice game. Focus will also be on Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It will be interesting is Hardik Pandya bowls in the second practice game or not. The star all rounder did not bowl in the first practice game.

The Indian team will leave for Brisbane on Friday where they will be based for a few days. Rohit and his boys will play two warm up games against Australia and New Zealand at Gabba on October 17 and 19 respectively before kickstarting their campaign against arch rivals Pakistan at MCG on October 23.