India defines its XI for the Adelaide Test: Shaw, Saha and Ashwin starters

Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, and Prithvi Shaw have been selected to represent India in the Adelaide Test. Umesh Yadav will be the third fast bowler. India’s main questions before the Test were: whether to continue backing the talented Shaw, whether to play a spinner and persist with the safer option of Ashwin, and which of the wicketkeepers to play. On the eve of the day-night Test, the team resolved all doubts by naming the XI. Shaw had been under pressure, with Shubman Gill showing a better performance in the two tour matches, impressing prominent figures. However, Shaw was the starting opener and proved in a four-inning stint in New Zealand that he can be destructive. He scored 0, 19, 40 and 3 in the two games of the tour, but more than the scores, it was his loose shots that worried. It is understood that, with an established average order, India wanted continuity at the top and opted for the incumbent.

Similarly, the Test’s titular spinner, especially with the absence of Ravindra Jadeja due to injury and concussion, kept his place. The last time India chose not to play Ashwin in an opening match of a series was on the 2014-15 Australia tour, a decision that was criticized. While it’s reasonable to play Ashwin, this time it could have been argued not to play a spinner in the opening match of the series. In the case of the wicketkeeper, India left out the starter Pant. The team seems to have decided that the pink ball does a lot and will require a more established pure wicketkeeper. Yadav was the favorite to be India’s third fast bowler, replacing the injured Ishant Sharma. Not only does he have experience in Test, but he also impressed in the only practice match he played. India XI: 1 Mayank Agarwal, 2 Prithvi Shaw, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Hanuma Vihari, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Jasprit Bumrah