Virat Kohli and Mohammad Shami are the two nuclei of the Indian team. The two stars are not in the Indian squad for the Melbourne Test, which starts in the early hours of Bangladesh time on Saturday, December 26. Coach Justin Langer also acknowledged that the absence of the duo would give Australia an extra advantage. Aussie coach Langer called on the students to use this opportunity to hold on to India.
Despite having Kohli-Shami in Adelaide, India lost in two and a half days. Despite dominating the first two days, India's second innings was reduced to 36 by Hazlewood-Cummins on the third day. The Indian team is undergoing a number of changes due to that rate.
Opener Prithvi Shaw and wicketkeeper-batsman Riddhiman Saha are also missing along with the two stars who are missing due to paternity leave and injury. Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Panth and Shubhaman Gill are almost certain to play in their place. One of Rabindra Jadeja, Navadwip Saini and Mohammad Siraj can come in the XI. Aussie coach Langer wants to hold on to this low-strength India as well, 'Kohli is one of the greats. And Shamim is also an important member of India's bowling attack. It is to our advantage not to have both of them.
But we have to do our job properly. Rahane is the new captain, he has to be put under pressure. Without the best players, any team becomes weak. We have to take advantage of this. We have to start well on the morning of the Boxing Day Test. We have seen in the first two days in Adelaide that India is a very combative team.
There is no change in the Australian team that won by 6 wickets in Adelaide. Matthew Wade and Joe Burns returned to the rhythm in the second innings despite problems with the opening pair. Langer thinks it will be a very brave thing to change the winning team. And there are indications that Melbourne's wicket will be more pace-friendly than Adelaide's. So India without Kohli is going to face a huge challenge.
