Mohali Test: Sunil Gavaskar picks 3 seamers, 2 spinners for India

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has named 11 players he thinks should represent the country in the first Test match against Sri Lanka starting at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Friday, March 4. The match is historic for a number of reasons – one of which is that it marks former India captain Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match.

Speaking to a channel, the 72-year-old Gavaskar picked his playing XI for the match and it included three fast bowlers and two spinners. His team includes, “Rohit (Sharma), Mayank (Agarwal), (Hanuma) Vihari, (Virat) Kohli, Shreyas (Iyer), (Rishabh) Pant, (Ravindra) Jadeja, (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Mohammed) Shami, (Jasprit) Bumrah, Umesh (Yadav).”

The green wicket could offer help to seamers, feels Gavaskar

In his initial chat with Sports Tak, Gavaskar said the pitch square for the match looked quite green and hence there are chances of the quick bowlers getting help. He also recalled the fact that captain Rohit Sharma called the wicket during the pre-match press conference a typical Mohali wicket which meant that the pitch could aid the fast bowlers in the first session with bounce and carry.

Explaining why he picked three seamers and two spinners for the match, Gavaskar said, “I think India should play three fast bowlers because the Mohali pitch always helps seamers. Also, we are playing against Sri Lanka, who are better players of spin than pace bowling. They are used to playing spinners and that is why I think two spinners is enough.”

It will be interesting to see what XI India eventually play for the match as they have often banked on an extra spinner in home conditions.

Mohali has hosted 13 Tests since its inauguration in 1994 and of them, India have won seven. Five, including one against Sri Lanka, have been drawn while the West Indies are the only team to have beaten India on this surface.

India will start as favourites against the Lankans who are yet to win a Test series in India. The match will also be the 300th Test match for the islanders while Sharma will make his debut as India’s Test captain.