This morning, I saw an article in espncricinfo.com that likely playing eleven for India at Perth. It gave me an idea as to how I want the playing eleven to be. Not that it matters for the echelons of the management but it is a favourite pastime of every Indian supporter. To discuss threadbare what must in the team and who must not, we the fans never lose an opportunity to do so. This Test at Perth is nothing different. Hence, I wanted to see whether the team that I select will even closely resemble the team at Perth. This is my choice for India’s likely playing eleven.
With both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill ruled out, one owing to the birth of his second child and the other, with a fractured finger, the door is open for two others who may not have found a spot at Perth. Not that neither’s presence would have been advantageous, Rohit’s average in Australia is something he will be ashamed about whereas Gill had a wonderful debut series in 2020 but has been inconsistent eversince. Nevertheless, being a first choice batsman, his presence will be missed.
Rohit Sharma’s absence has left a spot open at the top. Jaiswal, on his first tour of Australia will be other opener. Initially, the team management seemed to think along the lines of making Rahul and Easwaran open the innings. It could be that they wanted to shield Jaiwal on a pacy Perth pitch against the rampaging Australian bowlers so that his confidence is not dented. However, better sense seems to have prevailed.
The opening combination
Easwaran in his short stint so far, for India A, did not cover himself with glory. Leave alone breaking the door open to selection, he didn’t even stand near the door. His performance was abysmal to say the least. It makes one wonder whether if this is the calibre of someone who has played in the Ranji Trophy for so long, what is the quality of the Ranji Trophy itself?
Nevertheless, Easwaran has ruled himself out of contention from the entire series. If only he had managed atleast a single score above 50, he would have booked his spot. Anyway, the other options are Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel.
Rahul has done reasonably well outside of India whenever given an opportunity. The problem with him is that he goes into his shell completely without even thinking about runs. Cricket is a simple game of runs and wickets. Rahul has all the shots in the book and is quite talented but that talent has been wasted over 10 long years. The successive team management and the selectors seemed to think that Rahul will justify his talent and hence are giving him continuous opportunities but Rahul is determined not to make use of such opportunities. Perhaps, his career mirrors that of Rohit Sharma who too was a mega failure initially and started to perform after 10 long years. If Rahul could dismiss his inhibitions, he can still become the batsman that he threatened to be when he began.
Moreover, on Perth pitch, we need someone who has the technique to survive. Hence, Rahul gets the nod to partner Jaiswal.
The number 3 conundrum
In 2018 & 2020, Pujara took the responsibility of tiring the Australian bowlers. In 2018, he doubled that with runs against his name and in 2020, his dour was one the reason for the series win. He is not in Australia in 2024 because of his lean performance over several years. That spot is now open and who better to fill than the most experienced campaigner?
Virat Kohli must bat at number 3. He is the senior most in the squad and as such, he take the responsibility on his shoulders. Agreed, that he has under enormous pressure to deliver after having had a bad phase for 5 years. Gone are the days when the sight of Kohli will send shivers down the spine of the bowlers. It has got easy now which is all the more reason for Kohli to bat at number 3 because he should not be protected any longer. India need all the experience at the top to bat the first and second sessions of the Test. Rahul and Kohli can do that and can also guide Jaiswal properly.
The middle order
Kohli moving upto number 3, who will replace him at number 4? This is where I will have Dhruv Jurel. He is the only batsman who showed some gumption in Australia. Twin 50s on challenging surfaces, though for India A against less mean bowlers than the Australian attack, mean that he has the ability to become a proper batsman. He showed his capability against England, albeit at home, with a match winning innings. Jurel deserves a longer run to establish himself in the team. I am going to put my neck on the chopping block and state that Jurel could potentially takeover as the captain in a couple of years.
Pant takes number 5 as usual and I want to see twin left-handers follow him. Who are they? Number 6 will be Devdutt Padikkal who is another who held himself well against Australia A. Sarfaraz Khan, I am afraid is not good enough for Australia. He struggled on the Indian pitches save for the 150. Most of his runs came behind the wicket and in Australia, it is demanding trouble. Sundar must be at number 6. Now, I am not looking at Sundar as an allrounder. I am looking at him as a specialist batsman. He has the ability.
The bowlers
Perth Test is unlikely to go the full distance. It is better to have the additional batsman who could score those vital runs. Ashwin will be the sole spinner and followed by the seamers. All the seamers are absolute mugs with the bat. Bumrah and Siraj will begin at Perth. The 3rd seamer, Akash Deep just does not have the pace whereas I have never seen Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana bowl.
Wrapping up India’s likely playing eleven
It is fun isn’t it to play the selector?
Other BGT blogs
https://icricketcritique.com/the-border-gavaskar-series/
https://icricketcritique.com/australia-clearly-is-the-favourite/
https://icricketcritique.com/series-between-unequal/
https://icricketcritique.com/so-the-perth-test/