Vice captain Ajinkya Rahane is set to take over from Virat Kohli as the captain after the first test in Adelaide since the current Indian skipper is going to be taking a paternal leave. There have been questions over Ishant Sharma’s availability for the tour and also what Xl India could field in absence of the fast bowler. Fans have also been curious to know what opening combination Team India could go with for the First test.
Speaking of Ishant Sharma’s absence, Rahane in a virtual press conference said, “I think, we do really have a strong attack but yes we will definitely miss Ishant, being the senior fast bowler.”
Despite Ishant Sharma’s absence, Rahane believes India’s pace attack is good enough to take 20 wickets in a match.
“The guys who are here Umesh (Yadav), (Navdeep) Sani, (Mohammed) Siraj with Jasprit (Bumrah) and (Mohammed) Shami, they are all really good and experienced and they know how to bowl in these conditions,”
“This is a new series starting with the Pink ball, so it is all about getting that momentum, but I do believe that we have the attack to get 20 wickets,” added Rahane.
Rahane also said that the visitor’s opening combination has not been decided yet, although the decision will be taken soon.
“See, we have still not decided what’s our combination going to be. We will sit tomorrow, there is another day to go, one more practice session to go, we will sit tomorrow and discuss what’s our combination. But see whoever plays, it is going to be like, everyone is equally there, everyone is equally talented, whoever plays, they can win the match for us, so it is all about trusting our players.”
The Border-Gavaskar series commences on December 17 in Adelaide, set to be a pink ball/day and night match.