Sanjay Manjrekar names his India's probable XI against Australia ahead of Adelaide Test

The much-awaited day-night Test between India and Australia is just around the corner, and cricket experts are turning in large numbers to voice out their opinions on the same issue. The latest addition is former cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar who has thrown light on India’s probable XI for the opening Test at Adelaide on December 17. Manjrekar reckons that India might go with Shubman Gill as Mayank Agarwal’s opening pair instead of KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw.

Talking about the wicketkeeping choice, Manjrekar has chosen Rishabh Pant over seasoned Wriddhiman Saha. Pant has recently tuned into fine form after displaying a series of dismal performances in near time. Hanuma Vihari, who also smashed a ton along with Pant in the second practice game against Australia A, has found a place at the sixth spot in Manjrekar’s probable XI list.

Manjrekar’s probable XI of India for Adelaide Test

Virat’s likely XI tomorrow.

Mayank
Gill
Pujara
Virat
Rahane
Vihari
Pant
Ashwin
Umesh
Shami
Bumrah

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 16, 2020

Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara were not part of IPL 2020 and, therefore, have been practicing well enough to showcase the best from their potentials. Apart from his batting skills, Vihari can also come to the team’s rescue as an off spinner. The other players who got picked on the list were pretty much sure like, Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravi Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.

There have been talks to either go with chinaman Kuldeep Yadav over Ashwin for the Adelaide Test, but Manjrekar decided to stick with the experience and hence chose Ashwin on his list. Australia have been desperately waiting to see which opening pair takes up the charge in Adelaide Test for India, and India has also been facing an opening conundrum in absence of Rohit Sharma for the first two Tests.

A robust opening pair means a lot to India as a weak start can expose Indian batters to the brutal attack of Aussies with the new ball. It will be too essential for India to set the opening tone ahead of the four-match Test series to sail well. Virat Kohli would leave for India after the first Test, and therefore, the team would try its best to flag off the series on a winning note.