The Border-Gavaskar Trophy encounter has begun for the team from India, the fourth Test in Melbourne, that is starting with a run on Thursday, Melbourne. With scores at level footing between the teams (1-1), it is indeed going to be a crucial match and as such the Indians are planning changes in their XI regarding some major breakout changes. Several Indian media outlets have reported that Rohit Sharma, team captain, will be opening the batting while KL Rahul replaces an under-performing Shubman Gill at number 3.
Among the other changes being discussed is the inclusion return of Washington Sundar. Sundar may be an extra spinner in the Boxing Day Test to replace fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly objected to the idea of benching Reddy.
“They can’t drop Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is the fourth seamer. I can’t see India going in with just two pacers and Nitish. For me, it is pretty much this XI that plays in Melbourne,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
However, Gavaskar believes his ability to provide important breakthroughs and his contributions with the bat make him indispensable to the team balance. Reddy has been failing to make an impression with the ball in the series despite being a reliable lower-order batter.
India’s pace bowling lineup has also been in the news at this time. Akash Deep, who with the bat saved India from follow-on at the Gabba, is likely to keep his place. Gavaskar dismissed the idea of replacing him with Harshit Rana, stating, “Unlikely that Harshit will replace Akash Deep. Why would you drop a man who has saved your team from follow-on?”
Rohit refused to make a statement on whether he would continue in the middle order or open again at MCG when answering queries from the press on Tuesday.
“Let’s not worry about who bats where. Something we probably need to figure and not something I would be discussing here. We will be doing what is best for the team,” he said to reporters during Tuesday’s interaction with the media.
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