Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the first Test match against Sri Lanka, which will be played at IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.
Chopra selected Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal as the openers of the team while he feels Shubman Gill will need to wait for his opportunity.
It will be a different middle order for the Indian team as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been dropped while KL Rahul has been ruled out due to injury. Shreyas Iyer, who scored a fine century in his debut Test match against New Zealand, bats one-down for Aakash Chopra. Virat Kohli will be playing his 100th Test match and he will take his usual fourth place in the batting order.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Two big slots are vacant because Pujara and Rahane are not there. I doubt Shubman Gill can get a chance at No. 3. He will get it in the longer run. I feel he is a No. 3 player and not an opener. But at this point in time, I think he will have to wait.”
On the other hand, Chopra wants Hanuma Vihari to bat at number five. Vihari has played most of his Test matches in foreign conditions and he would look to grab his opportunity in Indian conditions. Rishabh Pant will bat at number six for Chopra.
“Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari – quite obvious, you will go with six batters in which one will be Rishabh Pant. I will go with Shreyas at No. 3 but the team might play Hanuma at No. 3. I want to play Shreyas at No. 3, Hanuma stays at No. 5, where he is.”
“So Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer – I am keeping him at No. 3, Virat Kohli at No. 4, I am going with Hanuma Vihari at No. 5 and I am playing Rishabh Pant at No. 6.”
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will the first-choice spinners for the team. If Ashwin is not fit, Jayant Yadav can come in his place. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the pace battery for the renowned commentator.
“At No. 7, I have got Ravindra Jadeja. If Ashwin is available, then Ashwin. If he is not available, then Jayant Yadav. I will go with two spinners only, whether Ashwin is available or not because it will not be a rank turner, it is winter time and the pitch will not crumble in Mohali.”
“I want to play three fast bowlers which include Mohammed Shami – welcome back because we have not seen you for a long time, you are being kept slightly away from white-ball cricket but this is your area. Along with him will be Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.”
Aakash Chopra’s Indian XI for the 1st Test: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin/Jayant Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
