Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has shared his preferred lineup for India’s team in the upcoming first Test against South Africa, starting on December 26 in Centurion. The second Test is scheduled for January 3rd in Cape Town.
Sunil Gavaskar Reveals His India XI For First Test In Centurion
Key Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, are set to make a comeback to the team after taking a break from international cricket. They haven’t participated in top-level matches since India’s defeat in the World Cup 2023 Final against Australia.
India will be without Mohammad Shami in the upcoming Test series due to fitness issues. Shami sustained an ankle injury during the World Cup 2023 and hasn’t recovered in time. The squad has undergone two changes, with KS Bharat and Abhimanyu Easwaran replacing Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
It has to be noted that Team India has not yet won a Test series in South Africa since their initial visit in 1992. The first Test victory in South Africa for India occurred in 2006. In their most recent Test series in South Africa, despite winning the first Test match, India lost the series 1-2.
Gavaskar suggests that India should have two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, in their lineup for the first Test at Centurion, even though the pitch conditions may not favor spin. He also recommends including three pacers, namely Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar, for the match. Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said:
“My playing XI is gonna be very simple. The openers will be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma – the captain. No.3 Shubman Gill, No.4 – Kohli, No. 5 KL Rahul, and No.6 Shreyas Iyer. 5 and 6 can move, and after that will be Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin,”
He added: “Then I’ll have three fast bowlers – Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj,”
The challenge for Indian batters, the role of Ro-Ko, Playing XI combination & much more, listen to the Little Master’s opinion on how #TeamIndia should approach the boxing day test vs #SouthAfrica.
Tune-in to the 1st #SAvIND Test
TUE, DEC 26, 12:30 PM | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/YjgcySM0YE— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 23, 2023
Sunil Gavaskar’s India XI for 1st Test:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
