India's probable XI for the fourth Test against Australia at Brisbane: India without the availability of Bumrah, Jadeja looking to win and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

 

With all to play for, team India is looking to put together a decent line up to face the mighty Aussies for the series decider on a ground where the host did not loose a Test match in 32 years. Currently, the Border-Gavaskar series is locked at 1-1. We have seen some of the dramatic scenes this series starting with India getting blown away for 36 runs in the first Test. They bounced back to win the second Test on the back of their stand in Captain Rahane’s wonderful century. Then the dramatic final day of the third Test where India batted for 131 overs to save the Test match with some really injured players. We have also seen 5 Test debutants this series, Cameron Green, Will Pukovski from Australia, Mohemmad Siraj, Shubman Gill and Navdeep Saini from India all making a substantial contribution in the matches they played.

During the course of the series, India suffered some huge blows with most of the senior players in the squad are injured and unavailable. Started with Captain Virat Kohli leaving the team for some personal commitments.

Ace paceman, Mohammed Shami broke his wrist while defending a bouncer from Pat Cummins in the first Test.

Umesh Yadav went out during the second Test with a calf injury.

Wicket Keeper batsman, KL Rahul sustained a wrist injury while batting in the nets.

Rishab Pant got hit by a ball on his elbow but luckily, it was not a fracture. He was unable to keep wickets but came out to bat on the fifth day taking pain killers, playing a good hand of 97 runs and contributing towards a historic draw. He will probably be able to play the final Test.

All-Rounder, Ravindra Jadeja broke his left thumb while defending a short pitch ball from Mitchel Starc. According to the medical staffs, he will be out for at least six weeks.

Middle order batsman, Hanuma Vihari sustained a ham string injury while playing one of his most important innings for India. He along with Ashwin played out 42 overs stitching a 63 run unbeaten partnership to save the Test and keeping the series alive at 1-1. The injury neutralized him from taking any sort of singles or doubles during the innings. But the grit shown by him to stay at the crease and bat out the day was commendable. He will also be missing the fourth Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin suffered a back spasm during the match. The off spinner has bowled a lot of overs during the first three Tests. Currently he is not able to move around or sleep properly but the medical team is hopeful to get him back on the part for the final Test.

Mayank Agarwal also picked up an injury in his hand while batting at the nets, a ball hit his gloves and had to go for a scan. Hopefully, he will be available for the final Test. The biggest blow came, when

Jaspreet Bumrah got ruled out of the fourth Test with a groin injury leaving a very inexperienced seam bowling options available for selection.

Team India will be looking forward to the experience of Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to anchor them to a huge total as they will be going in with a very inexperienced bowling line up. The available seam bowling options include Mohammed Siraj who made his debut during the second Test, this series and only has played two Test matches. Navdeep Saini, who made his debut in the last match. Though both of them fared well with the given opportunity but will they be able to lead the attack with the series at stake? The other two options are T Natarajan who is yet to make a Test debut and Shardul Thakur, who was called in as Shami’s replacement has only one Test experience under his belt. If Ashwin is not available, then they will have to look for Kuldeep Yadav as a replacement who is a good enough replacement with the ball but not so with the bat in hand. Pant may not be able to keep wickets, but he will be able to play as a batsman. In that case, Wriddhima Saha has to do the keeping duties for the match. The changed opening partnership has been able to deliver solid starts in both innings of the third Test. India will not be looking at changing the Gill-Sharma combination. Pujara, Rahane, Pant makes up the 3,4,5 slots, India will be hoping to see Mayank taking the number 6 spot if he recovers from his injury. Or else, India will have to go in with Prithvi Shaw. Saha will be batting at the number 7 spot followed by the bowler with the spin option being Ashwin if he is fit or Kuldeep Yadav. Siraj and Saini likely to keep their place and Shardul Thakur may come in as Bumrah’s replacement. Shardul also brings in a little bit of batting ability along with his seam bowling option which can act as a little bit of cousin looking at the vulnerable lower middle order. The playing XI most likely be looking like this:

1.       Shubman Gill

2.       Rohit Sharma

3.       Cheteshwar Pujara

4.       Ajinkya Rahane (C)

5.       Rishab Pant

6.       Mayank Agarwal

7.       Wriddhiman Saha

8.       R Ashwin / Kuldeep Yadav

9.       Shardul Thakur

10.   Navdeep Saini

11.   Mohammed Siraj

By Sayandeep Dutta

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