The Indian National Cricket Team will face the Australian National Cricket Team in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 starting on Friday, November 22. , the top six of the Indian innings was leaked.
India captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to the birth of his son. Rohit and his wife welcomed a baby boy on Friday, November 15. He decided to stay with his family in India and Casprit Bumrah will lead the national team in the first Test.
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill ruled out of first Test in Australia
India traveled to Australia with a squad of 18 players, including a replacement for Rohit Sharma, for the first Test. However, the visiting team suffered a setback during practice when young prospect Shubman Gill injured his finger while catching the slips. He was ruled out of the series opener.
With just four days to go before the first Test, India will have to change their batting order. The team management asked Devdutt Padikkal, who was part of the India A team in Australia, to stay back as a substitute. They also need to find the right combination for the top of the batting order for the Test.
India’s Top 6 for Perth Test in BGT 2024-25 Leaked
Sports journalist Bharat Sundaresan has released the Indian team X slip cordon (ex Twitter), revealing the Indian team’s top 6 for the Perth Test.
Devdutt Padikkal was practicing in the first slip, Virat Kohli in the second slip and KL Rahul in the third slip. He also stated that Yashasvi Jaiswal was placed in the gully, while Dhruv Jurel was caught at the stupid point. And Rishabh Pant will be the designated wicketkeeper for India.
“The slip cordon for India now, Padikkal at first slip, Virat second, Rahul at third slip, Jaiswal at gully while Dhruv Jurel catches at silly point. Should this be the top 6 for the first Test?” Bharat wrote.
The slip cordon for India now, Padikkal at first slip, Virat at second slip, Rahul at third slip, Jaiswal at gully when Dhruv takes Jurel at silly point. Should this be the top 6 for the first Test? #AusvInd
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 19, 2024
Virat Kohli will play a crucial role for India in BGT 2024-25
Virat Kohli, who has been struggling to score in the longer format of late, is expected to play a crucial role for the visiting team in the upcoming series. He has a good record in Test matches in Australia. Kohli scored 1,352 runs in 13 Test matches, including six centuries and four half-centuries.
Virat Kohli vs Australia in Tests
| Category | Matches | Innings | Escape | High score | Medium | 100s | 50s | Holiday rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| against Australia | 25 | 44 | 2042 | 186 | 47.48 | 8 | 5 | 52.41 |
| in Australia | 13 | 25 | 1352 | 169 | 54.08 | 6 | 4 | 53.14 |
Kohli and his contemporaries in Australia
| Player | Team | Matches | Escape | High score | Medium | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | OUT | 53 | 4701 | 239 | 62.88 | 16 | 19 |
| Virat Kohli | IND | 13 | 1352 | 169 | 54.08 | 6 | 4 |
| Joe Root | ENG | 14 | 892 | 89 | 35.68 | 0 | 6 |
| Kane Williamson | NZ | 7 | 557 | 166 | 42.84 | 1 | 1 |
Also read: Shreyas Iyer appointed Mumbai captain for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy; Prithvi Shaw is back
 2024-25, starting on Friday, November 22.){kind=link}