IND vs AUS: BCCI and the selection committee have announced the Test squad that will be participating against Australia for the first two fixtures in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
There have been some major changes in the whole squad and some major absentees from the team. It was a shock to see Prithvi Shaw not making it to the squad even after playing brilliant innings in domestic cricket. India are seen as favourites to win the series according to bookies in India.
Jasprit Bumrah will continue his rehab program from his injury. BCCI has chosen to give him more time to recover before he becomes part of the team. Sanju Samson and Sarfaraz Khan are also missing from the list.
The series is important for both teams as the result will impact the WTC final standings. The series begins in Nagpur on the 9th of February with Tests in Delhi, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad.
SWOT analysis of Team India
In this article, we have done a detailed SWOT analysis of the Team India squad.
Strengths
Considering the recent performances of team India in the Test format, team India’s strength is its bowling squad. The selection committee has done a great job of appointing Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammad Shami in the pace attack.
The trio, if selected to start the game, will give a good start to the team. Jaydev has got another opportunity to be part of the national side in absence of Jasprit Bumrah. In the spin section, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will be making a huge impact. All three spinners have been in great form recently.
Axar Patel will be part of the Starting XI as an allrounder with Ravindra Jadeja on his side. Jadeja is making a comeback after his injury and will be expected to pick wickets.
Weakness
Team India has always struggled to make an impact with its bat in the Test format. This year as well, team India looks when it comes to the batters. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma did show some signs of a comeback in ODI cricket but they both can’t be trusted in the longest format of the game.
They both have failed to provide a good start to the team and because of the same reason the middle order of the team struggles to make an impact. Shubman Gill can be trusted with the bat but he is coming back to play against Australia after a long time and will be under pressure to perform.
Opportunity
The biggest opportunity lies with three players here. Virat Kohli, Chiteshwar Pujara, and Jaydev Unadkat. Virat Kohli and Chiteshwar Pujara proved their worth for the team during the Bangladesh tour. Chiteshwar Pujara, after a lot of criticism, has answered his criticisms in a brilliant manner, and now he is back in his old form.
The end of 2022 has been positive for Virat Kohli and he will be expected to continue the momentum. Jaydev Unadkat has replaced Jasprit Bumrah and he recently made history in domestic cricket by picking up a 1st over hat-trick in the first over. Jaydev will be under the spotlight as BCCI will be looking to appoint him a permanent player.
Threat
The biggest threat to team India lies in its strength itself. BCCI has appointed Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin section. It won’t be easy for Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma to decide the best combination as all four of them have strong credentials in Test cricket.
One wrong combination might lead to a disappointing result for the whole team against Australia.
