Sunil Gavaskar predicts significant changes in India’s playing XI for the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, with KL Rahul set to bat at six.
New Delhi: The legendry Indian captain and batter Sunil Gavaskar has predicted playing 11 for the pink ball test in Adelaide, starting December 6. India leading the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, 5 test match series by 1-0, are likely to include Shubhman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma in the side at Adelaide Oval. Rohit Sharma who missed the first test match due to the birth of his second child where as Gill was injured at team practice at WACA Ground.
During an interaction on 7Cricket, Gavaskar mentioned that Rohit and Gill will surely return to the playing XI, replacing Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. However, the legendary batter suggested that the management might shuffle the batting order.
While Rahul opened the batting in Rohit’s absence, Gavaskar believes the former will move down to the middle order.
“I think there will be two changes for sure, with both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill returning to the XI. My feeling is that the batting order will change. Rohit Sharma will replace Rahul, Shubman Gill will bat at three, Padikkal and Jurel will be dropped, and Rahul will move to six,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also predicts India should bring back Ravindra Jadeja for Washinton Sundar.
“And one other change that could happen is that Jadeja comes in place of Washington Sundar,” he added.
Meanwhile, India defeated Australia by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second Test begins on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval. Australia will be without pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the match due to a strain in his side.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Predicted Playing XI For India Vs Australia 2nd Test:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.