A lot would be on the stake when India take on Australia in the upcoming 4-match Test series starting from December 6. Virat Kohli & Co. will be aiming to script history on the tour Down Under with a formidable bowling attack at their disposal backed by a strong batting line-up.
However, ahead of the first Test scheduled to be played in Adelaide, a number of former players from both the countries have started coming up with their respective team’s playing XI. After former Australian captain Ricky Ponting picked his own eleven players to compete with India, it’s time for former India captain Sunil Gavaskar to reveal his choice.
The 69-year-old legend has picked his India XI for the Adelaide Test and it includes Prithvi Shaw and Murali Vijay as openers; Cheteshwar Pujara at No.3; captain Kohli at 4; vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane at No.5; wicketkeeper Rishabha Pant at No.6 and five bowlers in form of Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Rohit Sharma, who is one of the leading run-scorer for India in limited-overs format this year, is not there in the playing XI as presented by Gavaskar. Aaj Tak sports editor Vikrant Gupta has revealed Gavaskar’s playing XI through a post on Twitter.
Sunil Gavaskar picks his Indian XI for Adelaide Test on @aajtak : Prithvi, Murali, Pujara, Virat, Rahane, Pant, Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Shami – Incidentally no Rohit in Sunny bhai’s XI.
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 28, 2018
With Kohli in terrific form and bowlers firing in all cylinders, Team India will be looking to create history on the Australian soil. The visitors tied the T20I series 1-1 to share the spoils and will be looking to make an impact in the longest format of the game next.
Sunil Gavaskar’s playing XI for the first Test:
Prithvi Shaw, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
