Young batting prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen bowling leg-spin during India’s match simulations in Perth as they prepare for the opening Test of the five-match series against Australia, set to begin at the Optus Stadium on November 22, 2024.
Training Focus and Strategy
India opted to cancel their practice match against India A and are engaging in intra-squad match simulations to fine-tune their preparations. Jaiswal’s leg-spin practice suggests that the team management might consider using him as a part-time spinner, offering backup to Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin if a need for additional spin arises.
Alternatively, this move might hint at India’s readiness to play an all-pace attack on Perth’s traditionally bouncy surface. In such a scenario, India could consider benching Ashwin, especially after his struggles in a recent home Test series against New Zealand.
Ashwin’s Dilemma
Despite being a seasoned spinner with 39 wickets in 10 Tests in Australia, Ashwin has never played a Test at Perth. On the last tour to Australia in 2020/21, Ashwin excelled, taking 12 wickets in three Tests before an injury ruled him out of the series. However, his inclusion may hinge on team composition, with the conditions favoring seam bowlers.
Probable Bowling Line-Up
If India opts for a pace-heavy strategy, the likely combination could include:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
In such a setup, Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja might be the lone spinner, contributing with both bat and ball.
Batting Concerns
India’s batting order could face disruptions due to injuries.
- Shubman Gill is likely to miss the opener due to a thumb injury.
- Rohit Sharma‘s availability is uncertain.
If both are unavailable, the batting order could feature:
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel
What Lies Ahead?
The decision to include Ashwin or stick with an all-pace attack will likely be influenced by the pitch conditions closer to the match day. India’s intra-squad matches and the flexibility offered by players like Jaiswal signal a deliberate and adaptive approach to a challenging series against a formidable Australian side.
