The Australia vs India 2nd BGT Test will commence on October 6 in Adelaide, and India is all set to repeat the enthralling performance they showed in the first Test. India had a humongous 295-run win against the Kangaroos in the Perth Test.
As the second Test gets even more eyeballs with the arrival of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli getting his first 100 in a while, former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara evaluates India’s possible XI.
No Need for Ashwin and Jadeja in the 2nd BGT Test, Says Pujara
In the interview, when the discussion came about the bowling unit of the team, Pujara said that it’s a no-brainer that the visitors should keep their bowling unit the same from the first Test. When asked about R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in the lineup, Pujara said that it doesn’t make any sense as the pitch in Australia gives a lot of bounce and helps pace bowlers.
“There is no question about it. This bowling attack has given us success. [Jasprit] Bumrah looked really good. [Mohammed] Siraj was very good. And then it was supported by Harshit. He bowled really well, you have to accept that. He was playing his first game [for India], still he ended up pitching the ball up.
“The reason he was chosen in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match that, in case we lose a few wickets early, if the lower-middle order needs to contribute, Washington can do that role”
Pujara also said that keeping Washington Sundar in the second Test as the only spinner would be a good idea too.
“In Australia, it’s very easy to get carried away and sometimes when you look at the pace of the pitch, it offers a bit more extra bounce… But he was still looking to hit the right spot, good length, try and hit the top of off, and he has that ability.
“So I think we should carry on with the same bowling attack. And Nitish also, he had a bit of a bowl. I felt that those four seamers are proper options and along with that, Washington Sundar.”
Another reason Pujara put forward for the inclusion of Washington is his batting ability, which would come in handy if India loses a few wickets. Though Ashwin and Jadeja both can bat, Pujara still likes to stick with Washington.
“He [Washington] didn’t look really good when he started his bowling, but eventually he got a couple of wickets, he varied his pace, so Washy should be our spinner,” Pujara said.
“Because he can bat well. The reason he was chosen in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match that, in case we lose a few wickets early if the lower-middle order needs to contribute, Washington can do that role.”
With the win in Perth, India returned back to the top in the WTC rating. But to reach the final, Rohit Sharma’s side will have to win at least 4 Tests against the Aussies, given that they have fewer matches left than their competitors.
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