Former cricketer Aakash Chopra admitted that he was left surprised by Australia’s decision to play just four frontline bowlers, including debutant Todd Murphy, for the first Test in Nagpur. Australia decided to go with a batting heavy side for the first Test.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 10:02 IST
Chopra admitted that he was surprised the decision made by Australia (Courtesy: AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Aakash Chopra has admitted that he was surprised by Australia choosing to play only four frontline bowlers for the first Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur and said that he feels like it was a defensive move.
Australia had decided to give Todd Murphy his debut in Nagpur and also omitted in-form Travis Head for Peter Handscomb. Matt Renshaw was also included in a batting heavy team that also features David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
However, the bowling lineup only features four frontline bowlers, with one of them being Murphy. Australia are rocked by injuries to Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood.
Pat Cummins will be supported by Scott Boland with the focus firmly on Nathan Lyon to provide the big wickets for the visitors. The likes of Labuschagne, Smith and Matt Renshaw could be called on to bowl a few overs during the match.
The playing XI for Australia are as follows:
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland.
However, Chopra said he feels like the move to play just four frontline bowlers feels like is a defensive one from Australia.
“Australia have chosen to play only four frontline bowlers…out of which, one is a 19-year old debutant. Looks like a defensive move…but only time will tell,” said Chopra.
India handed debuts to Suryakumar Yadav and KS Bharat with Ravindra Jadeja returning to the lineup from injury. Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin were selected as the other spinners, while Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were the pacers.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
