IND vs AUS: How will be the playing XI of Team India in the first test, vice-captain KL Rahul gave big hints – kl rahul press conference on team india playing 11 first test vs australia

Nagpur: Indian Test team vice-captain KL Rahul believes that it is difficult to predict the nature of the pitch at the Nagpur Cricket Stadium but the team wants to field three spinners in the first Test against Australia. There is just one day left for the start of the four-match Test series against Australia (IND vs AUS) but the opener did not give any definite answer regarding the three places in the team. Rahul did not give a clear answer to the question asked about the wicketkeeper, third spinner and fifth order batsman.

Asked about Shubman Gill being given a chance in the middle order, Rahul said, “We haven’t decided on the playing XI yet.” This will be a difficult decision. There are players who have done very well and there are many options for certain positions. In such a situation, the discussion is still going on and the players are being talked to.

Will there be help for spin?

The spinners are likely to get help from day one at the VCA cricket ground but Rahul was reluctant to comment on the pitch. He said, ‘Yes, we saw it (pitch) but it is too early to know about the nature of the pitch. We will have to come here on match day and assess it. We can only watch it and guess what its mood would be like. Yes, we want to have three spinners in the playing XI because we are playing in India. We will take a decision on this on the day of the match or a day before that.

Rahul can play in middle order

Captain Rohit Sharma is back in the team and Rahul was asked if he would like to bat in the middle order like he did during his Test debut in 2014. Rahul said, ‘If such a need arises, I will be happy. I have always played according to the needs of the team. Whatever the team asks me to do, I try and be fully prepared for that and try to give my best for the team. If there is anything the team wants me to do here, I will be happy to do so.

When asked about the selection of the playing XI, he said, ‘Yes, this time it will be difficult. It will be difficult to choose 11 players. All the 15 players in the squad are top class and that is probably why they are here. In this, anyone can emerge as a match winner anytime. He said, ‘The final 11 is always selected by seeing which player will be the best for that particular test. We have been doing this for the last two years.

Rahul also mentioned on the occasion that he had come under severe media criticism for leaving out Kuldeep Yadav, the hero of India’s win against Bangladesh in the series opener in the previous series. He said, ‘The question was raised that why a particular player was given a chance in Bangladesh. I remember Kuldeep Yadav was dropped from the playing XI of the second test even after being man of the match. It is obvious that we wanted to select the best XI according to those conditions.

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