On the eve of India’s first Test against Australia at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, stumper-batter Dinesh Karthik has shared his playing XI for the hosts. Interestingly, the cricketer hasn't included Shubman Gill in his XI and rather opted for the opening combination of skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
He also believes that the flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav should play at number five since Shreyas Iyer is currently out with a back injury.
Notably, the 37-year-old has also selected KS Bharat over Ishan Kishan for the wicket-keeper’s role. Bharat has been travelling with the Indian squad for quite some time now but hasn’t been able to make it to the playing XI.
He replaced Wriddhiman Saha behind the wickets in an innings in the first Test in Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021 but is yet to earn his maiden Test cap. However, Karthik believes that his time has come as regular keeper Rishabh Pant is currently out due to injury.
My 11 for first test 😊
— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 8, 2023
Kl
Rohit
Pujara
Virat
SKY
Jadeja
K S Bharat
Ashwin
Axar
Shami
Siraj #BGT2023 #1stTest#IndiaVsAustralia
When it comes to India’s bowling, Karthik has picked Axar Patel over Kuldeep Yadav. The Gujarat-born cricketer has been sensational in the longest format of the game but as per former India head coach Ravi Shastri, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are quite similar as bowlers and thus, Kuldeep should get the nod.
The left-arm wrist-spinner is in terrific form at the moment and has picked up 34 wickets in his Test career so far. Despite so, Karthik has picked Axar for the first Test who wreaked havoc against England, when they last visited India for a four-match Test series.
When it comes to the pace department, Karthik has picked Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami for the first Test. Team India will definitely miss the service of Jasprit Bumrah, who’s currently recovering from a back injury but they eventually have Shami and Siraj who can create a difference in Nagpur.
Notably, the cricketer also wants Ravindra Jadeja to bat at number six, ahead of KS Bharat in the match. Since there are no more left-handed batters in the top seven, he wants Jadeja to get a promotion in the order.
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