The Indian cricket team is set to face Australia starting November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, aiming to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) for the fifth consecutive time. However, they enter the series opener grappling with significant challenges following a historic 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who recently announced the birth of his second child on November 15, is unlikely to play the first Test. Having yet to travel to Australia, an update on Rohit’s return remains pending, leaving Jasprit Bumrah to lead the side in his absence.
Adding to India’s concerns, star batter Shubham Gill sustained a thumb fracture during an intra-squad match simulation and is ruled out of the first Test. This setback compounds an already delicate top-order situation in Rohit’s absence. KL Rahul, initially set to open, is expected to move to the number three position, while Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to make his long-awaited Test debut, partnering Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener.
Virat Kohli will continue at number four, with hopes pinned on the 36-year-old rediscovering his form on Australian soil. Rishabh Pant remains the undisputed choice as wicketkeeper and number five batter, while Dhruv Jurel is favored over Sarfaraz Khan for a middle-order spot following his stellar performance in the second unofficial Test between India-A and Australia-A at the MCG.
Given Perth’s fast and bouncy conditions, the team is expected to field only one spinner, with Ravindra Jadeja edging out Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar. This has been a standard overseas strategy for India in recent years.
India’s bowling lineup will feature a four-man pace attack, with captain Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep as automatic picks. The fourth pacer slot is a more complex decision, likely a contest between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. While Nitish offers genuine all-round abilities, Harshit’s superior first-class batting average of 42.63 and better bowling credentials might give him the edge.
India’s Probable XI for 1st Test vs Australia:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana/Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Shubham Gill has quickly emerged as one of India’s most promising young talents in international cricket. Some of his key achievements include:
- Test Cricket Debut Success: Gill made a memorable debut in Test cricket during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scoring a vital 45 in the second innings of the historic Gabba Test, helping India to chase down a challenging target and win the series 2-1.
- ODI Century Against West Indies (2022): In January 2022, Gill scored his maiden ODI century, contributing significantly to India’s total in the West Indies, showcasing his potential in limited-overs cricket.
- Match-winning 91 in 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Gill played a crucial knock of 91 runs during India’s series win over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023, further cementing his reputation as a dependable top-order batsman in Tests.
- Consistent Performer in IPL: Gill has been a standout performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly with the Gujarat Titans, where he played an important role in their successful 2022 title-winning campaign, finishing as one of the team’s top run-scorers.
- T20I Debut: Gill made his T20I debut for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka, further expanding his range across all formats.
- Youngest Indian to Score an ODI Century in New Zealand: In January 2023, Gill became the youngest Indian to score an ODI century in New Zealand, demonstrating his ability to perform in challenging conditions.
These achievements highlight Shubham Gill’s rapid rise as a versatile and reliable opening batsman for India across formats.