India reveals XI for Adelaide Test: Shaw, Saha and Ashwin to start

Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, and Prithvi Shaw have been selected to represent India in the Adelaide Test. Umesh Yadav will complete the trio of fast bowlers. The main questions for India before the Test were: maintaining confidence in the talented Shaw, including a spinner and persisting with Ashwin, and which of the wicketkeepers would be selected. On the eve of the day-night Test, the team resolved the uncertainty by announcing the XI. Shaw had been under pressure, with Shubman Gill showing better performance in the two practice matches. However, Shaw was the opening batsman and showed his potential in one of the four innings in New Zealand. Although his scores in the practice matches (0, 19, 40 and 3) were not impressive, it was his loose shots that worried. It is understood that, with a medium order established, India was looking for continuity at the top and opted for the starter.

Similarly, the titular spinner, especially with the absence of Ravindra Jadeja due to injury, kept his place. The last time India didn’t select Ashwin in an opening match of the series was on the 2014-15 Australia tour, a decision that was criticized. While it’s reasonable to play Ashwin, on this occasion, not including a spinner in the opening match of the series might have been justified, as in day-night Tests in Australia, spinners have averaged 49, despite Lyon’s average of 25 in these matches. Lyon’s success is perhaps a sign that world-class spinners have the opportunity to correct these statistics based on a small sample of seven Tests. Regarding the wicketkeeper, India left out Pant, who has been preferred over Saha in Tests outside of Asia. The coaching staff seems to have decided that the pink ball 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 Team: 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