India’s playing XI will be interesting since the team management might take a few big calls and drop a few prominent names.
After losing the Melbourne Test last week, India must win the final Test in Sydney to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. There has been ample chaos since the previous defeat, and Gautam Gambhir’s press conference has given more speculations than clarity.
India’s playing XI will be interesting since the team management might take a few big calls and drop a few prominent names. The change might start from the top, with Rohit Sharma getting dropped after Gautam Gambhir’s press conference left everyone speculating, and KL Rahul again taking the opening slot.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill will return to the side and take the No.3 slot, followed by Virat Kohli at No.4. Rishabh Pant’s position has been under scrutiny after underwhelming returns on the tour, but he should keep his place and take the No.5 position.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Responds to Dressing Room Leaks Around His ‘Enough Is Enough’ Rant
Nitish Kumar Reddy should get the batting promotion and bat at No.6 after his heroics throughout this tour. Ravindra Jadeja, who has looked good in patches, should be India’s No.7 and contribute with both bat and ball.
While India didn’t utilise Washington Sundar’s bowling enough in the Melbourne Test, his batting was good enough to keep him in the XI. He scored a brilliant fifty in the first innings and looked good in the second dig, even though wickets kept falling from the other end.
Akash Deep is out of the fifth Test due to a back strain, which is a massive blow for the Indian team. Prasidh Krishna, a genuine hit-the-deck seamer, is ideally suited for the conditions and should come in as a replacement.
India also have the option of Harshit Rana, who earlier featured in the series but didn’t inspire enough confidence. Hence, the team might look for alternatives, giving Krishna a go and see what he does.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the other frontline pacers in the XI. Since Rohit will be dropped for this game, Bumrah will return to the helm and lead the Indian side for the final match in Sydney.
India’s Predicted Playing XI for 5th Test vs Australia: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (c)
Australia’s Predicted Playing XI for 5th Test vs India: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
