Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Rohit Sharma will resume his duties starting from the Adelaide Test. What changes can be expected in the team’s mindset and playing XI?
India registered a memorable victory at Perth against Australia to go 1-0 up in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series 2024-25. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah led from the front, bagging a match haul of eight wickets. However, India would see some changes for the second Test at Adelaide as regular captain Rohit Sharma is back in Australia after his paternity leave.
So, what are the changes India could make in the Adelaide Test, which starts on December 6?
Eminent change in leadershipÂ
As Rohit will be back in action, he will take over the captaincy duties from Bumrah even though the pacer led brilliantly in the Perth Test. Bumrah will be back to being the vice-captain. The Perth Test saw India high in intensity and aggression in every aspect of the game. They registered their biggest win in Australia in terms of runs. India batted, bowled, and fielded aggressively to outclass the hosts.
Now, the task in Rohit’s hand will be to continue the momentum from Perth to Adelaide and lead the team with the same intensity, aggression, and mentality. The onus will be on the leadership group comprising Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Bumrah to keep the spirit high in the squad and avoid any complacency creeping in.
Read More: BGT 2024-25: Bumrah bowled with brilliance & captained with craft in Perth
Changes in the playing XIÂ
Rohit is expected to take over his opener’s role in Adelaide even though KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal produced India’s best opening Test partnership in Australia. It would be a tough call to separate the two after their brilliant stand in Perth. But the Rohit-Jaiswal duo has done commendably well as openers in the past, and it would be justified to get them back for Adelaide.
In that case, Rahul may drop to No. 6, where he was previously assigned. With his sound technique, patience, and experience, Rahul is a must-include player in the playing XI, even if he has to bat at No 6. Young Dhruv Jurel will have to make way. Jurel impressed with the bat in the India A games vs Australia A down under but could not contribute much in the Perth Test.
Another change could be in the No. 3 spot if Shubman Gill, who fractured his thumb before the Perth Test, is fit to play. We might see Devdutt Padikkal having to sit out. If Gill is still unfit, Padikkal may get another chance in the playing XI. He struggled to put bat to ball in the first innings of the Perth Test but made a composed 25 off 71 balls in the second innings.
Read More: Perth Test: KL Rahul shuts out detractors with solidity in both innings
Changes in strategyÂ
India are unlikely to tinker with the bowling unit as it has performed beyond expectations at Perth unless the pitch, the conditions, or any injury scare forces them to make changes. The pace bowling unit led by Bumrah has been spot-on with their disciplined line and length.
The stand-in skipper has been in sensational form, threatening to take a wicket with every delivery, and Mohammed Siraj has rediscovered his rhythm after a period of inconsistency. Debutant Harshit Rana has been nothing short of a revelation, claiming four wickets in the match.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, while taking a handful of overs to pick up his maiden Test wicket, made a bigger impact with the bat, earning significant attention. Reddy’s bowling potential, however, remains largely untapped. Washington Sundar also impressed with his limited-overs’ spell. Collectively, India delivered a well-rounded and dominant bowling performance.
The batting unit has found intent in defence as the openers showed in the Perth Test, where they combined to post a double-century stand. The biggest revelation for India was Kohli’s return to scoring tons. His energy at the crease will rub on other batters to overcome the challenges at Adelaide and score runs for the team. The batting strategy to grind out the bowling unit has paid dividends in the Perth Test.
The lot must look to continue with the same mindset as pitches and conditions are likely to be similar in other venues in Australia. India also batted aggressively to score quick runs in their second innings, calculating the right moment to declare. The Men in Blue have found the right mix of caution and aggression in Perth and should continue with the same strategy in Adelaide.
Read More: BGT 2024-25: Kohli, the leader, proved to be perfect ally for Bumrah, the captain, in Perth
