India’s Predicted XI for 5th Test vs Australia: Drastic Changes Expected
India is preparing for the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Big changes to the playing XI are coming. India must win the match. They want to keep their trophy for a fifth straight time. They also want to stay in the hunt for the WTC 2025 final.
All eyes are on Rohit Sharma. His poor form puts his spot in jeopardy. Additionally, Rishabh Pant, a mainstay in India’s Test side, may also face the axe in favor of young talent. Here’s a breakdown of the expected changes and India’s potential lineup for the high-stakes clash.
Rohit Sharma’s Place Under Scrutiny
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has had a poor series. He scored just 31 runs in five innings. His inability to anchor the innings—whether at the top of the order or in the middle—has led to calls for him to step aside. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stoked the fire by not confirming Rohit’s spot in the XI. He said the final decision would depend on the pitch on match day.
If Rohit is dropped, reports say Shubman Gill could reclaim his spot in the XI. KL Rahul would likely return to his role as opener. This move worked well for India in the first three Tests and could provide the stability needed at the top.
Will Rishabh Pant Be Dropped?
Rishabh Pant has had a dismal series. He did not score a fifty and often got out to reckless shots. His poor performance in the fourth Test has led the team to consider a bold move: replacing him with Dhruv Jurel.
Jurel is an exciting young wicketkeeper-batter. But, dropping Pant—India’s top Test keeper for years—would be a risky gamble in such a crucial game. However, it appears the team may be willing to take that risk to bring in fresh energy behind the stumps.
Harshit Rana Set to Replace Akash Deep
The one confirmed change is in the bowling attack. Pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the fifth Test due to a back injury, as confirmed by Gambhir. With his absence, Harshit Rana is the top choice to replace him. He has experience in Australian conditions. Prasidh Krishna is an option. But, Rana’s familiarity with the SCG’s pace-friendly pitches gives him the edge.
India is unlikely to change their pace attack. Akash Deep is already out. This is despite Mohammed Siraj’s poor series.
Who Keeps Their Spot?
Virat Kohli and Washington Sundar are likely to stay in the XI, despite poor performances. Kohli, though not at his best, is vital in the middle order. Sundar’s all-rounder skills add balance to the team.
India’s Predicted Playing XI for the 5th Test
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Harshit Rana
- Jasprit Bumrah (c)
- Mohammed Siraj
Key Players Left Out
- Rohit Sharma: Poor form (31 runs in 5 innings).
- Rishabh Pant: Struggled with consistency and reckless dismissals.
- Akash Deep: Ruled out due to a back injury.
