IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant’s spot is under scrutiny for the Sydney Test while Akash Deep could miss out due to back issues. (AP)
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line, India are pondering changes to the XI with one forced change expected at Sydney. The Indian Express understands that seamer Akash Deep is struggling with back issues and is set to miss the fifth and final Test. But the biggest deliberation at this stage is over Rishabh Pant’s place with the team management pondering the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel over the southpaw.
India’s selection choices for the XI have been surprising throughout the tour as they started at Perth by benching both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin for Washington Sundar. Harshit Rana, who made his debut at Perth, was included in the Adelaide Test as well but was clearly seen struggling to get used to the rigours of playing back-to-back matches and bowling long spells. The pattern continued last week at Melbourne as well, where India played three all-rounders in Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jadeja and Washington and dropped their No. 3 Shubman Gill. They even sent in the struggling Rohit Sharma to open in place of KL Rahul, who had looked assured at the top, disturbing the balance.
With the series on the line, India are pondering more changes with Pant’s position now under scanner. In the Boxing Day Test, his dismissal in the first innings – caught at third-man while trying to scoop Scott Boland – invited criticism from all quarters with batting great Sunil Gavaskar calling it ‘stupid’. Then in the second innings, with India nicely poised to draw the Test, he pulled a long-hop from part-timer Travis Head to the fielder at deep mid-wicket, triggering a collapse.
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Having played a series-winning role the last time Down Under, Pant’s best in the four Tests has been the 37 he made at Perth. Having been given the licence to play his natural game, Pant’s failure to convert the starts is now prompting the team management to look at Jurel, who had started the tour on an impressive note. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper scored 80 & 68 for India A against Australia A which won him the spot for the first Test at Perth. But since then he has been warming the bench and now with their batting struggles continuing, India are considering Jurel as an option to take over Pant’s spot.
Meanwhile, the injury to Akash could also force India to re-look their bowling combination. With Jasprit Bumrah’s workload already being a concern, India may have to explore other options as well. The Indian Express understands that Rana could come in place of Akash, but if the team needs specialists then one among Jadeja and Washington is expected to make way for another seamer in Prasidh Krishna.
However, the SCG deck has traditionally favoured spinners and is usually dry. But with rain expected to be a factor, India may just stick to one change in the attack, where Rana comes in place of Akash.
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