INDIANS READY TO HIT TEST MODE

Sydney, Dec. 5: India will look to figure out their playing XI as the Test squad gets into the groove by taking on Australia ‘A’ in a threeday warm-up game at Drummoyne Oval from Sunday.

With India and Australia playing the second T20I on the same day, the visiting Test squad has been named India ‘A’ for the first of the two practice games scheduled ahead of the much-anticipated four-Test series.

The tour games will be a chance to sort out India’s combinations both in the batting and bowling departments ahead of opening Day-Night Test scheduled at Adelaide from December 17.

In batting, Mayank Agarwal is set to open the innings but there is a question mark over his partner with the choice being between Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill.

While Shaw was preferred in the New Zealand series, he struggled for consistency in the IPL. Gill, on the other hand, have scored 440 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders and also looked in good touch in the third ODI.

The other option is KL Rahul, who has been in rampaging form and also formed a formidable pair with Mayank for the KXIP, but the last time he had played a Test was in September 2019.

In the wicketkeeper’s slot, it will be Wriddhiman Rishabh Pant.

For Saha, who had injured both his hamstrings during the IPL, it will be a test to show his fitness after getting back at the nets recently.

Pant has been India’s number one choice in overseas Tests but he was dropped from the limited over series and will have to deliver the goods to seal the keeper’s slot.

With skipper Virat Kohli going on paternity leave after the opening Test and the injured Rohit Sharma too uncertain, the onus will be on Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari to show the way. —

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