Visitors India have announced their playing XI for the upcoming opening day-night Test against hosts Australia, to be held at the Adelaide Oval, on Thursday. India are the defending champions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won it during their last visit in 2018-19.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday shared the playing XI sheet on their Twitter handle. Interestingly, the team is moving in with four pacers and a lone spinner in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin.
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As for their batting, Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw have been handed the opening slot for the side. While Mayank was shaky throughout the limited-overs campaign, Shaw was unimpressive in the two warm-up matches, as both have a big task at hand to prove their worth in the side.
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Also, with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan missing out, skipper Virat Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Test specialist batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will have a task to consolidate the batting order. However, the notable absentee happened to be wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, who has been in form, of late, while Wriddhiman Saha has been handed the duties in his place.
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Among the bowlers, it would be headlined by pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, while Umesh Yadav and Hanuma Vihari can solidify the attack as well. Veteran off-spinner Ashwin would have a task at hand, provided the match enters the final two days, where the track in Adelaide is likely to become spin-friendly.
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India's playing XI for 1st Test: Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
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