5 Changes India Should Make For The 2nd Test Against Australia

The Indian team did not have a dream start to their defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they went down to Australia by eight wickets. The first Test, which finished three days, was in India’s control for the best part of it; however, one hour of poor display of batting, snatched it from them. In the process, they not only lost the match but also registered their lowest total in Test cricket of 36.

With nearly a do or die game in Melbourne, the tourists will inevitably trigger changes in the line-up. The absence of their regular captain Virat Kohli would be a major blow to them as he is not only one of their best batsmen but also their most experienced player. Thus, it could be an uphill task from their perspective to stand up to Australia in the remaining Test matches.

We take a look at the potential changes India could make for the second Test in Melbourne:

Shubman Gill in for Prithvi Shaw:

Shubman Gill will most likely slot into the top of the order alongside Mayank Agarwal for the second Test at the MCG, replacing Prithvi Shaw. Prithvi Shaws’s current form seems abysmal, to say the least, managing single-figure scores in both the innings as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc exposed his faulty technique.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill showed promising signs in the second warm-up game against Australia A, manging scores of 43 and 65. Several experts have also earmarked the 22-year old to be the next big thing in Indian cricket. Hence, the road for the same could start at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

KL Rahul in for Virat Kohli:

Indian captain Virat Kohli remains irreplaceable in the line-up no matter what. However, India will have to do it for the second and the crucial encounter in Melbourne as Virat Kohli will return home for family reasons. Before leaving the team, the 32-year old would have loved to deliver a 1-0 lead to India; unfortunately, it couldn’t happen.

As a result, KL Rahul could be the most likely replacement for the tourists in MCG. While the 28-year old did not quite strike form in red-ball cricket and endured a horror tour last time around, his white-ball form has been red-hot. The Indian management would trust him that he has worked out things in the longest format and fire with the bat.

Mohammed Siraj in for Mohammed Shami:

Yet another significant loss for the Indian team for the remaining fixtures has come in the form of Mohammed Shami. Mohammed Shami copped a blow on his right hand during the second innings while batting that did not allow him to do it further. As a result, the right-arm pacer could not bowl as India went out to defend 90.

While the management has Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini as replacements, it looks likely that the former will get the nod. Siraj took five wickets in two warm-up games against Australia A and could get significant movement with the ball. Moreover, a recent family tragedy will have himself motivated to do well in the series if given a chance.

Ravindra Jadeja in for Hanuma Vihari:

If Ravindra Jadeja is declared fit for the Melbourne Test, the all-rounder should replace the specialist batsman, Hanuma Vihari. Ravindra Jadeja suffered a concussion and hamstring injury during the first T20I against Australia amid a match-turning cameo. Not only Jadeja would be an asset with the bat and ball but also on the field.

While Hanuma Vihari is undoubtedly an enormously talented player with plenty of potential, Ravindra Jadeja makes an irrefutable case. Moreover, the lack of runs from his bat in the first Test further makes a stronger argument for Jadeja’s inclusion. But all of it depends upon Jadeja’s fitness.

Rishabh Pant in for Wriddhiman Saha:

Despite slamming a blazing hundred in the second warm-up match against Australia A, Rishabh Pant did not get the preference for the opening Test. Instead, Wriddhiman Saha got the nod for his superior keeping skills as the tourists needed it for the pink ball. However, India had to pay the price in terms of runs.

For all his supremacy behind the stumps, Saha could not back it up with runs, managing single-figure scores in both the innings. Rishabh Pant not only had runs in the warm-up match but also in his last tour of Australia. In four Tests back then, Pant hammered 350 runs alongside a century and taking 20 catches behind the stumps.

Also Read: Brad Hogg Takes Aim At Indian Fielders After Their Struggle Continues In Australia