The BCCI Selection Committee, under the direction of Shiv Sundar Das, was assigned to choose the team for the remaining Test matches of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The Border Gavaskar Trophy’s final two Test matches and the three-match ODI series squads was chosen by the committee’s four members. After the Ranji Trophy Final was supposed to be the selection meeting.
The topic of conversation was Indian vice-captain KL Rahul, whose inclusion despite several setbacks was in doubt. However, it is clear from the management and the captain, Rohit, that the hosts will support Rahul due to his expertise.
However, debates will centre on whether Sarfaraz Khan could have been called up instead of KL Rahul for the 3rd and 4th Test matches. Sarfaraz has scored more than 1000 runs for three straight Ranji Trophy seasons, while Rahul has experienced a terrible slump in performance.
Talking about the 2nd Test –
Another three day Test and once again Australia losing with an embarrassing performance. Australia elected to bat first to start the Test, and Usman Khawaja came in to bat after the first Test’s failure. While Smith and Labuschagne experienced a rare failure, he was supported by Handscomb. In the opening innings, Mo Shami had four picks, while Ashwin and Jadeja each had three. India’s response was shaky as KL Rahul’s rough patch persisted and the majority of their top-order had trouble scoring runs. At 139/7, they were in trouble, but Axar and Ashwin provided the rearguard, cutting the lead to just one run.
At the beginning of day three, Australia was 61-1 and optimistic about carrying on its batting counterattack from the previous evening. The visitors only lasted 19.1 overs on day three’s morning as Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed all ten wickets, but it was the Indian spinners who went berserk. India was 14-1 at lunch, needing to win by 115 runs, with Cheteshwar Pujara (1 not out) and Rohit Sharma at the crease.
As Australia crumbled for a paltry score of 113, he finished with figures that were career highs of 7/42. India struggled during the chase as Rohit ran himself out and Rahul was dismissed cheaply. KS Bharat added the finishing touches with his unbeaten cameo of 23, but Pujara held the line from one end despite Kohli and Iyer losing.
