Team India displayed clarity of mind ahead of what is expected to be a tough pink-ball challenge by naming their XI a day ahead of the first Test in Adelaide, even as Australia decided to keep their line-up “in-house” until the game.
India didn’t fall for the most talked-about swap, deciding to stick with Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order to partner Mayank Agarwal instead of handing a Test cap to Shubman Gill.
India also chose to persist with offie Ashwin, shelving the idea of an all-pace line-up, and opted for the more skilled Wriddhiman Saha as wicketkeeper.
Whether this advance announcement will set a trend for the series is unknown, since the team’s real challenges may begin after this Test with ‘bedrock’ Virat Kohli leaving for home. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side but it will be hard to replace both Kohli’s constant leadership presence and ability as batsman.
Kohli, however, gave the impression that India’s plans for the series had largely been set, and Rahane merely had to execute those plans.
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