India vs Australia, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli rewrites history again with no spinner in Indian playing 11

India, for only the third time in their history, went into a Test match without a specialist spinner. Virat Kohli went with four-pronged pace attack on a lively looking Perth pitch as his premier spinner R Ashwin was sidelined due to injury. 

It was a bold move considering India lack a genuine fifth bowling option.

However, it is not a new move for Kohli. Out of the three times India have now played without a specialist spinner, two have been under Kohli's captaincy.

This is the second time this year when India don't have a specialist spinner in their 11. India made the same call in South Africa earlier this year on a seamer-friendly wicket in the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

At that time, India went with the pace attack of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This time Umesh Yadav was preferred over Bhuvneshwar Kumar - a decision that surprised some. Hardik Pandya was back up for the pacers in that match which India won after having lost the series. 

The first time India played a Test without a spinner was also in Perth back in 2011-12 under MS Dhoni. Umesh Yadav played in that side too with R Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma as the other pacers. 

However, India lost that match by an innings and 37 runs

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.