AUS vs IND: It was just one bad hour in Adelaide, says unfazed Ajinkya Rahane
Cricket | December 25, 2020 13:08 ISTRahane is standing in for regular skipper Virat Kohli who has returned to India to attend the birth of his first child.
Rahane is standing in for regular skipper Virat Kohli who has returned to India to attend the birth of his first child.
Shubman Gill comes in for Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja for Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant for Wriddhiman Saha, and Mohammed Siraj for Mohammad Shami.
From Sehwag's 195 to Bumrah's 6-for, the Boxing Day Test has served fans with many memorable moments over the past few decades.
It is likely that KL Rahul won't feature in the second Test with Hanuma Vihari to retain his spot and will bat at no. 4.
Chappell writes in his column that both India and Australia are evenly matched but it's the Oz bowling attack that gives the hosts an edge.
The Australian skipper reminds the hosts they can't let their guard down after winning the first Test and must go into the second Test with all their might.
Opener KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant could be in line for recalls, with Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha in danger of being dropped.
Rahane will lead Team India in the last three Tests as Kohli has left for home on paternity leave.
India trail 0-1 in the four-match series after losing the day-night opening Test by eight wickets in Adelaide. The second Test starts on December 26 in Melbourne.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the first to arrive at the nets for the training session and he was put through a fitness test as he ran between the wickets with a bat on his hand
In the last 96 Tests, going back to March 30 of 2018, pacers have combined to average 26.40, the best figure ever managed for a period of 100 Tests since 1908.
The fate of the third Test has been shrouded in uncertainty since earlier this month after a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in the northern beaches in Sydney, which is scheduled to host the third Test from January 7.
The former Indian batsman stressed that last week's freak occurrence doesn't define Indian players who have experience of performing around the world.
The 2011 World Cup winner bats for KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill's inclusion in the playing XI.
The legendary wrist-spinner feels Shami's absence on drop-in pitches will hurt India while Australians have the best bowling unit for the Melbourne wicket.
India have won just one Boxing Day Test in the last 35 years; latest coming at the 2018 Australia Tour.
The board contingency plan is to work with Victorian government to host the Australia vs India third Test in Melbourne if Sydney is rendered untenable to host the game over COVID-19 surge in the region.
The head coach acknowledged the strength Australian bowling unit but said they are doing some work on their batting and fielding.
The legend feels that happens to batsmen when they have too many things going on in their heads or if they are expecting a short delivery.
The former Indian opener feels that Team India would reflect on their mistake and come back stronger against Australia, who don't have a strong batting line-up without David Warner.
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