The India vs Australia series is currently tied 1-1 heading into the Sydney Test and there are changes expected in the Indian cricket team.
The four-Test series between India and Australia is currently tied 1-1 heading into the 2021 New Year Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia won the first Test after bowling India out for 36 in Adelaide. However, defying the odds and under the calm captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian cricket team managed to beat Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to help them come back on level terms. Heading into the Sydney Test, the Indian cricket team have a big advantage and they will be determined to break their 43-year jinx at the Sydney Cricket Ground, having won just once at the venue and that was way back in 1978.
Heading into the match, there will be some changes expected in the Indian cricket team. Rohit Sharma, who missed the limited-overs leg and the first two Tests due to a hamstring injury sustained in IPL 2020 and the quarantine rules in Australia, is back in the team and has been appointed the vice-captain. However, India were dealt a blow when KL Rahul sprained his wrist in the practice session in Sydney and that ruled him out of the remaining two Tests. The entry of Rohit Sharma, though, could see Hanuma Vihari being kept out of the side.
This means that Mayank Agarwal will get an extended run after failing in the first two Tests. Umesh Yadav has also been ruled out due to a calf strain and this could mean a debut for T Natarajan. The Tamil Nadu left-arm pacer posed with the Indian Test jersey, strongly indicating that he might make his debut.
What should be batting order?
Rohit Sharma has had immense success as an opener in limited overs cricket as well as in Tests. It makes obvious sense for Rohit Sharma to open the batting with Mayank Agarwal. Shubman Gill also impressed as an opener in the Melbourne Test but he would be better off to be in the fourth position which could lend solidity to the batting. With Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the lower-middle order, getting in Gill at four could be a good move.
The rest of the bowling line-up remains the same. With the Sydney wicket traditionally assisting spin, it makes sense to play two spinners at the venue. Thus, India have that base covered with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. T Natarajan’s left-arm bowling gives them plenty of variety to compliment the right-arm pace of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. In Umesh Yadav’s absence, Mohammed Siraj might share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah but Ajinkya Rahane might throw in a surprise by giving the new ball to T Natarajan.
India potential playing 11 for Sydney Test
Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, T Natarajan, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
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