India announce playing eleven a day before the historic pink-ball test
The BCCI made the announcement through a social media post on Wednesday.
India announced their playing XI for the historic pink-ball Test match against Australia. The BCCI made the announcement through a social media post on Wednesday. They have kept faith with young opening batsman Prithvi Shaw for the opening day-night Test against Australia.
The board confirmed the line-up on Wednesday with Shaw keeping his place and partnering regular opener Mayank Agarwal, with Cheteshwar Pujara, captain Virat Kohli and deputy Ajinkya Rahane to follow in the batting order.
"Prithvi has performed at the test level but he will be playing in Australia for the first time. It's very exciting to see his progress," Kohli said on the eve of the match.
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Hanuma Vihari will be the number six batsman while Wriddhiman Saha will don the wicketkeeping gloves for the touring side.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been chosen as the lone specialist spinner for India, who will go with the frontline pace trio of Jaspit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.
Kohli will fly home after the Adelaide test for the birth of his first child, leaving Rahane in charge for the three remaining matches.
The India captain backed Rahane to do a "tremendous job" in his absence.
"He seems to be very composed and knows the strengths of our team," he told reporters. "We already know the template we play with. We're absolutely on the same page.
"I feel like this is his time to really step up and perform strongly as an individual, and then as a captain as well he'll do a great job."
India team: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav.
