After pocketing the ODIs 2-1, the Indian cricket team shifts its focus to the longest format of the game. The senior pros will be back in action as the 2-match series begins Tuesday in Centurion. The focus will be on the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who will be back in action for the first time since the conclusion of ICC ODI World Cup 2023. As Team India eyes their first-ever Test series win in the Rainbow Nation, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has picked his playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
The batting legend has named Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the openers. Gavaskar has suggested Shubman Gill’s name for number three, a position which was designated to Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests, while Kohli continues to be at No. 4.
“My playing XI is gonna be very simple. The openers will be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma – the captain. No.3 Shubman Gill, No.4 – Kohli, No. 5 KL Rahul and No.6 Shreyas Iyer. 5 and 6 can move, and after that will be Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
India would go with three pacers in the line-up, given the spicy tracks at the SuperSport Park. Talking of fast bowlers, Gavaskar chose Bengal seamer Mukesh Kumar to join Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the Boxing Day Test.
“Then I’ll have three fast bowlers – Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj,” Gavaskar added.
Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will be a major missing in the missing. The right-arm quick was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Earlier, fast bowler Prasidh recently bagged a five-wicket haul for India ‘A’ against South Africa ‘A’ in the first Unofficial Test.
India squad for South Africa Tests:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk).
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