IND vs AUS: What changes could India make for Sydney Test against Australia?

Team India will have their task cut out when they face Australia in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Sydney, starting from Friday (3 January). Ever since their 295-run win in the first Test in Perth , India are yet to rediscover their winning mojo having lost two matches and drawn one from then.

India find themselves 1-2 against Australia after four Tests, with their latest setback being 184-run loss in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

India’s senior players including skipper Rohit Sharma himself and Virat Kohli came under heavy scrutiny following their underwhelming performances in Melbourne. While Rohit managed just 12 runs across both innings, Kohli was slightly better having scored 36 runs in the first innings. Kohli, however, was dismissed for just five runs in the second innings as his struggles with outside off-stump deliveries continued to haunt him.

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Rishabh Pant, too, was criticised for his ultra-aggressive approach during the fourth Test by the legendry Sunil Gavaskar.

Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah has been the only consistent bowler for India in this Test series, with the pacer leading the wicket-takers charts with 30 wickets. The likes of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold this series. Multiple changes could be in the offing for India as they look to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

What changes could India make in Sydney Test?

Senior batter Virat Kohli has struggled for consistency since his unbeaten century in Perth. The right-handed batter has endured scores of 7, 11, 3, 36 and 5 in the five innings he has played ever since. Kohli has struggled batting against outside off-stump deliveries recently, and former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali feels that Kohli has to bat one down at No 5, instead of the No 4 spot.

“Now is the team to bring Nitish up at No. 4 and Virat Kohli at No. 5 because he is not able to score at No. 4. He’s getting out on the same shot,” Basit said on his YouTube channel. “Perform nahi ho raha toh apna number toh neeche karo na. Rohit upar neeche kar raha hai, Virat ka koi nahi soch raha, kyunki darte hain na sab (if you are not able to score then drop lower down the order; Rohit is doing that but nobody thinking about Virat because everybody’s afraid),” he added.

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Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested Rohit drop himself from the playing XI for the Sydney Test amid a poor run of form. Rohit has scored just 31 runs from six innings since returning to play the second Test. “No captain would have done that thus far that he drops himself. Retirement is his personal call but selection is the selectors’ job. However, as a captain, the selectors don’t want to take that call. You have made him the captain for the entire tour. So you don’t take that call mid-tour. So the call is now with Rohit Sharma,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

India could also bring back Shubman Gill to the playing XI but that would mean either Virat Kohli or skipper Rohit Sharma sacrifice their spot, according to a report in The Indian Express. As per the newspaper, Akash Deep is likely to miss the Sydney Test due to back issues and Harshit Rana could be brought in. The report also adds that Rishabh Pant’s spot is in danger, with Dhruv Jurel in line to replace him.