New Delhi. The two-match Test series between India and South Africa begins at Centurion on Tuesday, December 26. The Indian team is yet to announce its playing eleven for the Boxing Day Test, it is likely that the squad will be selected before the match. Indian team’s veteran opener Gautam Gambhir has selected his preferred playing eleven for the Centurion Test which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj along with fast bowler Krishna (famous Krishna). If Prasidh gets a place in the playing eleven, it will be the first test of his career.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gambhir has revealed his preference for captain Rohit Sharma and Yashwi Jaiswal as openers, while he favors Shubman Gill in place of Cheteshwar Pujara at third. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have not been included in India’s Test squad for the tour of South Africa. ‘Gauthi’ has included Virat Kohli at number four and Shreyas Iyer at number five in his playing eleven, while KL Rahul will be the number six batsman as wicketkeeper.
‘Then it drops’, Parthiv Patel’s ‘straightforward’ answer to fan’s sharp question on Rahul’s wicketkeeping issue
Gambhir is in favor of fielding only one spinner from R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in his preferred team, although he has not given any opinion on who this spinner should be. Gambhir has replaced Shardul Thakur as a seam-bowling all-rounder instead of a spinner, considering the Centurion’s wicket-taking bowlers. Besides Bumrah and Siraj, Gambhir has included the famous Krishna as his fast bowler.
Rohit Sharma faces a double challenge in South Africa, can he overcome it?
Gautam Gambhir’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashshwi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja/R. Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, the famous Krishna and Mohammad Siraj.
,
Tags: Gautam Gambhir, ind vs sa, India vs South Africa, The illustrious Krishna, Shardul Thakur
First published: December 25, 2023, 09:22 IST