Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: BCCI announces playing XI for 1st day-night Test in Adelaide

India would begin their Test campaign in Australia from Thursday, as they play the day-night Test in Adelaide. India are the defending champions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won it during their last visit in 2018-19, while they are ranked third in ICC Test Rankings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.