Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, and Prithvi Shaw were selected to represent India in the Adelaide Test. Umesh Yadav will complete the trio of fast bowlers.
The main questions the Indian team faced two days before the Test were: whether to maintain confidence in the energetic Shaw, whether to include a spin bowler and bet on the safer option of Ashwin, and which of the wicketkeepers should be selected. On the eve of the day-night Test, they resolved all doubts by announcing the XI.
Shaw was under pressure, with Shubman Gill showing better performance in the two practice matches. However, Shaw was the starting opener and proved in a four-run innings in New Zealand that he can be destructive. He scored 0, 19, 40 and 3 in the two practice matches, but more than the scores, it was his loose shots that worried.
It is understood that, with an established middle order, India sought continuity at the top as well and opted for the opener.Similarly, the spin-bowling spearhead, especially with the absence of Ravindra Jadeja due to injury and concussion, retained his place.
Regarding the wicketkeeper, India left out the regular Pant, who has been preferred over Saha in Tests outside of Asia, where most of the wicketkeeping is done standing back. The management team seems to have decided that the pink ball will do a lot and will require a more established wicketkeeper.
Yadav was the favorite to be India’s third fast bowler, replacing the injured Ishant Sharma. Not only does he have Test experience, but he also impressed in the only practice match he played.India’s Line-up: 1 Mayank Agarwal, 2 Prithvi Shaw, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (c), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Hanuma Vihari, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
