Ever since Team India landed in Australia, there have been speculations and rumors about the participation of a full-time captain in the opening match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 were the main point of discussion. The elite Mumbai batsman, who recently became a father for the second time, is expected to miss the opening match of the series in Perth, according to the latest news reports.
The 37-year-old has not yet traveled to Australia and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is the Men in Blue's vice-captain against the Aussies, is likely to wear the captain's cap.
KL Rahul was declared fit before the series opener in Perth, while Shubman Gill ruled out of the first Test with a thumb injury
Veteran batsman KL Rahul has been declared fit to play ahead of the all-important opening match at the Perth cricket Stadium, in a huge boost for the Indian cricket team. A short throw hit the 32-year-old on the elbow but fortunately for the Men in Blue, Rahul worked hard in yesterday's net session to show his match fitness. With Sharma unavailable, the former LSG captain is expected to open the innings for India along with regular opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The Prince of Indian cricket Shubham Gill, on the other hand, broke his thumb in the recently concluded match simulation and is expected to miss the Perth Test match. The Men in Blue have a more than capable replacement for Gill in the form of Karnataka's promising batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who is expected to replace the 25-year-old Gill in the playing XI.
The duo of Sai Sudharsan and Ruturaj Gaikwad have left for India, so the tourists have not only two top-class batsmen at their disposal: Abhimanyu Easwaran and Padikkal. Since the latter has more experience batting at the number three position and performed better with the bat in the unofficial Test matches, he is likely to get the nod to replace Gill in Perth.
Hard-hitting wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant will be seen at his regular number five position, with one of Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel expected to follow him at number six. Khan has been put in all sorts of trouble by the Kiwis' fantastic bowling performance in the recently concluded Test series, and Dhruv Jurel's recent good form with the bat could lead to the Indian management choosing him over Sarfaraz.
Experienced spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be a guaranteed starter and will occupy number seven in the batting order. It is very likely that the Men in Blue will field a pace-dominated bowling unit, with Jadeja being the sole spinner.
Promising all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has had a phenomenal debut IPL season and is likely to make his Test debut in the upcoming Perth Test match. So, the Indian cricket team's bowling unit will consist of four pace bowlers including Nitish Kumar Reddy. While the duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will take over the new ball duties, prodigy Harshit Rana could get the nod ahead of Prasidh Krishna in the opening Test match.
India's expected starting XI for the Perth Test match against Australia
Jasprit Bumrah (captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj, Sarfaraz Khan / Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Read: Who could partner Jaiswal to open the first Test in the IND vs AUS tournament? In-depth analysis!
