Harshit Rana denied debut as India playing XI for Perth Test announced by Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has picked the probable playing XI of the India National Cricket Team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opening match.

Aakash Chopra has selected a strong team but has left the young pacer Harshit Rana out of the playing XI despite the reports suggesting that he is in line for the Test debut in Perth.

Also Read: 'Undercooked' Mohammed Shami's BGT selection blocked by Aakash Chopra with 'breakdown' warning

Aakash Chopra picks India's top-order

India have faced a massive blow ahead of the first Test against Australia as Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have been declared unavailable for the series opener.

Rohit Sharma has decided to extend his stay with his wife after the birth of their second child, and Shubman Gill has fractured his thumb, which will take at least 14 days to recover.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that KL Rahul should be given the nod to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener in the absence of Rohit Sharma. He stated:

"I don't think it will be advisable to send (Virat) Kohli at No. 3. Allow somebody else to bat at No. 3. Based on the current situation, I see KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening. KL Rahul also got injured but now he is okay. Since he came to practice in the nets, it means he will open."

Chopra further named the replacement of Shubman Gill and backed one among Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan for the role. He elaborated:

"If he opens, who will come at No. 3? Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are the three options available who are already with the team due to the shadow India A tour."

Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan are no longer with the Indian team in Australia and they have taken a flight back home. However, Devdutt Padikkal has been asked by the team management to stay back in Australia with the Test squad as a backup batter.

Aakash Chopra names India's middle-order

The former opening batsman further picked the middle-order of India and slotted Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel at No. 4, 5, and 6, snubbing Sarfaraz Khan.

He also spoke about the idea of the aforementioned players batting a slot higher if the team management doesn't want to try a new face at No.3

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra picked the fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Reddy at the No.7 position. He elaborated:

"After that, you will have Kohli at No. 4. You will have Rishabh Pant at No. 5. I feel Dhruv Jurel will be seen playing at No. 6. Another option could be to move Kohli to No. 3 and Pant to No. 4, play Dhruv at No. 5, and keep Sarfaraz (Khan) at No. 6, and then you can carry on without playing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal.

"This is also an option but I don't think the Indian team are going to use that option. I am thinking the top six I said earlier, and then Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7. I am seeing two debuts - one is Nitish Kumar Reddy and the second I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad might make his debut. There is a strong possibility."

The former cricketer picks India's bowling unit

At last, Chopra named the bowling unit of the Indian team. He selected one among Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for the No.8 position as a spin-bowling all-rounder, followed by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and one among Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna as pacers. He stated:

"After that, you will see the bowlers. One of Jadeja and Sundar will play, and then you go with Bumrah, Siraj and Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna. Play whoever you want because playing A or B won't make much difference."

Aakash Chopra's probable India playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Devdutt Padikkal/Sai Sudharsan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna