Rishabh Pant Dropped from India XI as Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir Plan Strict Changes; Akash Deep Ruled Out of Sydney Test

Rishabh Pant Dropped from India XI as Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir Plan Strict Changes; Akash Deep Ruled Out of Sydney Test

In order to rescue the series and save the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India is anticipated to make a few changes to its playing XI for the pivotal fifth and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground later this week. Reports state that an injury may force one alteration, while an experienced campaigner may be left out of the other.

India has made some unexpected choices throughout the series against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took Washington Sundar’s place as the only spinner in Perth and Brisbane, respectively. Harshit Rana, a fast bowler, made his debut in Perth but was discarded following a poor showing in the Adelaide Pink Ball Test. Under duress, Rohit Sharma chose to start the batting instead of KL Rahul, who was moved to No. 3, and India selected three all-rounders—Nitish Reddy, Jadeja, and Sundar—while dropping Shubman Gill.

As per a report, lead trainer Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma are currently discussing whether to place Rishabh Gasp in the playing XI with the series in question, regardless of whether the group’s possibilities bringing home the World Test Championship (WTC) are in essence gone. A huge analysis was aimed at Gasp’s excusals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), it Gavaskar’s broadly shared “Stupid, stupid, stupid” rant during discourse to incorporate Sunil.

Given his game-winning heroics in the 2020–21 series, Pant was predicted to have a big influence during the Australian trip. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, has not scored any half-centuries and has only managed 154 runs at an average of just 22 in seven innings throughout the current series. Dhruv Jurel, who has only played one game in the series and scored 11 and 1 in Perth, may be offered an opportunity in Sydney if India chooses to sit Pant.

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In addition, injuries can force India to make adjustments. Akash Deep, a fast bowler, is reportedly uncertain about the last Test due to a back issue. India may decide to use four-seamers at the SCG in order to limit Jasprit Bumrah’s workload. In order to create room for Prasidh Krishna, one of Sundar or Jadeja may be rested, and Harshit Rana would probably take Akash Deep’s position. India will need to make these adjustments if they are to win the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy and avoid a series loss.