India is prepared for its maiden Test match against the very competitive Australia in Nagpur when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on Thursday. The Indian batting order is a topic of great interest. India’s playing XI for the series opener hasn’t been decided yet despite having a wealth of potential. Ravi Shastri, a former India coach, does not want Suryakumar Yadav to be excluded from the starting lineup because a rapid 40 on a rank-turner from him may be a game-changer.
“Tough choice. You have to pick the best player for that position (No. 5). Surya is one player who will be proactive and looking to rotate the strike,” Shastri, a veteran of 80 Tests, said. “If you want to do well in India, you have got to rotate the strike and not let bowlers bowl maidens at you. Blocking won’t help. A quick 30 or 40 could decide the fate of the game. He (Surya) can get (the runs) quickly and disrupt the opposition. India should back themselves to win by a two-match margin,” Shastri, a veteran of 80 Tests said.
Even former BCCI selector Sunil Joshi chose Suryakumar above the seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara for his starting XI. “Will India line up like this in the first test? Deliberation between Pujara & Surya, and a tough draw between both lefties Kuldeep &Axar. Here’s my XI: R Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Surya (should get a first look in ), V Kohli, KL Rahul, KS Bharat, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Kuldeep Y, M Shami, M Siraj,” Sunil Joshi tweeted.
Will India line up like this in the first test? Deliberation between Pujara & Surya,a tough draw between both lefties Kuldeep &Axar. Here’s my XI:
R Sharma
Shubhman Gill
Surya (should get a first look in )
V Kohli
KL Rahul
KS Bharat
R Ashwin
R Jadeja
Kuldeep Y
M Shami
M Siraj
— Sunil Joshi | ಸುನಿಲ್ ಜೋಶಿ (@SunilJoshi_Spin) February 7, 2023
