Cricketer-turned-commentator Cheteshwar Pujara believes India should retain the same playing XI for the second Pink Ball Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Pujara implied that the experienced spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja should remain on the bench, despite Ashwin being India’s leading wicket-taker in Pink Ball matches. India fielded a pace-heavy bowling unit in Perth, which yielded successful results, with skipper Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Pujara heaped praise on debutant Harshit Rana for his stellar performance in Perth, where he impressed with both wickets and pace. He also commended Washington Sundar for his all-round capabilities and advocated for his continued place in the team, noting his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also received praise for his efforts, especially for his crucial runs in the first innings at Perth, where he top-scored with 41 and also contributed with his fiery pace, taking a wicket.
Pujara emphasized that India’s pacer trio of Rana, Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj were instrumental in the team’s success and should not be disturbed, especially given the expected conditions in Adelaide that favor pace. Sundar and Reddy’s impactful performances in the warm-up game against the Prime Minister’s XI, where both scored 42 runs each, further solidified their case for retention. Pujara feels that Ashwin and Jadeja will have to wait for their chance as the team benefits from its current pace-dominated approach. Given the success of the pace unit, it seems wise for India to leave their bowling combination unchanged, ensuring a strong chance to build on their winning momentum in the Pink Ball Test.