As the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy reaches a essential juncture with the sequence tied 1-1, Team India faces vital choice dilemmas forward of the Boxing Day Test on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The aftermath of the third Test on the Gabba, which led to a hard-fought draw, has triggered a wave of deliberate and speculative modifications, with legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar weighing in on the selections the Indian crew administration should make.
The most vital shift got here with the sudden retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, certainly one of India’s biggest all-rounders, instantly after the third Test at Gabba in Brisbane. Ashwin’s absence has left an enormous void within the squad, each when it comes to his tactical nous and his unmatched talent as a spinner.
Rookie off-spinning all-rounder Tanush Kotian has been named as Ashwin’s substitute, marking a brand new chapter for India’s spin division.
Among the various speculations relating to the Indian lineup, one of many largest debates facilities round Nitish Kumar Reddy’s place within the XI. While some imagine Washington Sundar ought to change Reddy to supply India with an extra spinning possibility, Gavaskar strongly opposes this concept. “They can’t drop Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is the fourth seamer. I can’t see India going in with just two pacers and Nitish. For me, it is pretty much this XI that plays in Melbourne,” Gavaskar instructed Star Sports.
Reddy, regardless of being a dependable batsman within the decrease order, has struggled to make an affect with the ball within the sequence. However, Gavaskar believes his capacity to supply essential breakthroughs and his contributions with the bat make him indispensable to the crew’s steadiness. The Indian assume tank can be considering a reshuffle on the high of the batting order, with experiences suggesting that Rohit Sharma may return to his most well-liked position as an opener. Rohit’s inclusion on the high would necessitate reconfiguring the center order.
If Rohit opens, KL Rahul may very well be slotted in at No. 3, changing the struggling Shubman Gill. Gill, who has not been at his greatest on this sequence, may both slide all the way down to No. 4 or get replaced altogether by Dhurv Jurel.
India’s tempo bowling lineup has additionally been a topic of debate. Akash Deep, whose heroics with the bat helped India keep away from the follow-on on the Gabba, is more likely to retain his spot. Gavaskar dismissed the thought of changing him with Harshit Rana, stating, “Unlikely that Harshit will replace Akash Deep. Why would you drop a man who has saved your team from follow-on?”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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Check out this related article: Sunil Gavaskar explains why India should not drop Nitish Reddy for Boxing Day Test. Cricket News – Newz9
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