Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked India’s probable playing XI for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as well. He also added that India might field two debutants in the series opener as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “Two spots have opened up now, one is for an opener and the other is for a No. 3 player. I don’t think it will be advisable to send (Virat) Kohli at No. 3. Allow somebody else to bat at No. 3. Based on the current situation, I see KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening.”
“KL Rahul also got injured but now he is okay. Since he came to practice in the nets, it means he will open. If he opens, who will come at No. 3? Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are the three options available who are already with the team due to the shadow India A tour,” he again shared.
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“You can choose anyone among them. It’s been heard that Ruturaj Gaikwad batted extremely well in the last practice, scored 83 and 87 runs. So you might see him debuting at No. 3. It doesn’t make any difference whoever you play, in a sense that injustice is not being done to anyone and no one is being favored more,” Chopra added.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also named Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel to complete the top six as well. However, he also added that the trio could bat a slot higher if India don’t want to play anyone among Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal in the first Test as well.
“After that, you will have Kohli at No. 4. You will have Rishabh Pant at No. 5. I feel Dhruv Jurel will be seen playing at No. 6. Another option could be to move Kohli to No. 3 and Pant to No. 4, play Dhruv at No. 5, and keep Sarfaraz (Khan) at No. 6, and then you can carry on without playing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal,” he said.
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“This is also an option but I don’t think the Indian team are going to use that option. I am thinking the top six I said earlier, and then Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 7. I am seeing two debuts – one is Nitish Kumar Reddy and the second I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad might make his debut. There is a strong possibility. After that, you will see the bowlers. One of Jadeja and Sundar will play, and then you go with Bumrah, Siraj and Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna. Play whoever you want because playing A or B won’t make much difference,” he again stated.
Aakash Chopra’s probable Indian playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Devdutt Padikkal/Sai Sudharsan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna
