India will play its first test match of 2023 against Australia under Border-Gavaskar from February 9 in Nagpur. This four-match test series will decide the fate of both teams in the points table of the ICC Test Championship.
Meanwhile the former Indian batter-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his probable Indian XI for the series opener.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are the preferred opening choices for Aakash Chopra. He then picked Cheteshwar Pujara for number 3.
While talking to his youtube channel, Aakash Chopra said,”The Indian team have to give answers to a few big questions. I am seeing Rahul and Rohit opening. I am saying there might not be any change there, that’s what I generally feel. Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3 and (Virat) Kohli will be there at No. 4. A big question for the Indian team is who they want to play at No. 5.”
While going ahead for the playing XI, he kept his choice between Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav. KS Bharat is his prime wicket-keeper choice due to his excellent skills with the glove.
“Their mind might go toward Shubman Gill because he has been doing so well for the last little while that they will not like to make him sit out. But is No. 5 ideal for him, maybe in the long-term or maybe now – we don’t know. If Surya gets his debut at No. 5, then you can easily go with KS Bharat. If Shubman Gill plays, maybe you start thinking about Ishan Kishan. I am just wondering if there is a disruptor,” he added.
While picking the bowlers, Aakash Chopra named R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in his playing XI.
He added,”After that, three spinners will play, in which Jaddu and Ashwin are certainties, but who will be the third spinner? If it is a rank turner, then Axar, or else my heart says you should play Kuldeep Yadav because he gets a lot of turns and you get a little variety. You get a left-arm spinner, an off-spinner, and a wrist spinner. Then, Siraj and Shami – I think that’s straightforward. The Indian team is looking very strong.”
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Aakash Chopra Probable Indian XI For 1st Test vs Australia:
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill/Suryakumar Yadav, Srikar Bharat/Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj
