Team India went through a forgettable day 3 in Adelaide where they just didn’t suffer a humiliating eight-wicket loss but also got bundled out for their lowest ever Test total – 36/9. Moreover, regular Indian skipper Virat Kohli – who’s expecting the birth of his first child soon – will be flying back to India ahead of the second Test, but given the difficult circumstances, he’ll reportedly hold a ‘special’ meeting with his teammates.
Accoridng to the recent reports of the Times of India, the 32-year-old will motivate the players individually ahead of the Boxing-Day Test so that the visiting team can put up a better show. India Likely Playing XI for 2nd Test. One of the sources of TOI said, “The emphasis of the meeting will be to motivate and give confidence to the young boys for the rest of the series.”
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Stakes will be much higher in the second game – which gets underway on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – as if Ajinkya Rahane and men suffer another loss, their chances of winning the series will be over.
Also, the visitors are expected to make many changes in the playing XI to get a better result. While Kohli will be leaving the team, the fiery fast bowler, Mohammed Shami is ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a fractured arm. At the same time, Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha will make a comeback in the playing XI.
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Hence, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj can be expected to find a place in the XI. On the other hand, Aussies will be strengthened even more with dashing opener David Warner back in the scheme of things. Hence, it will be interesting to see if the visitors can make a comeback or not.