Perth Rain Can’t Stop India’s Intense Nets as Key Batters Find Their Groove

Published On: November 19, 2024 4:38 pm

The rain was intensifying, but Virat Kohli showed no intention of leaving the nets. Nor did he let Dhruv Jurel call it a day, urging the young batter to stay put alongside him. Kohli, already batting for over 40 minutes, had faced the primary group of seamers led by Prasidh Krishna before shifting to an adjoining net to tackle Mukesh Kumar and others as the downpour grew heavier.

Wiping his bat on his pants between deliveries, Kohli remained focused, and so did Jurel—until the weather forced them to exit, shielding their equipment under their shirts.

While Kohli, as always, drew significant attention with his elegant drives and relentless preparation, it was Jurel who arguably stood out among India’s batters on Tuesday morning (November 19). The 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, fresh off impressive performances against Australia A, is pushing hard for a return to the Test XI as a specialist batter.

Building a Case for Jurel and Padikkal

Jurel spent 15-20 minutes fielding at close-in positions such as silly point and third slip, suggesting his potential inclusion in the playing XI. Devdutt Padikkal, another standout performer from the Australia A games, also took part in the session, having been retained in Australia after Shubman Gill’s thumb injury. Padikkal’s composure against Jasprit Bumrah during a match simulation at the WACA further strengthened his case for a spot in the top six.

India’s batting combinations seemed to take shape during the session, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening, followed by Padikkal, Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jurel in the middle order. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan—the current No. 6 in the Test setup—spent most of his time facing throwdowns and occasionally fielding at slip. Abhimanyu Easwaran, another reserve opener, was largely a bystander, facing only a few deliveries after the rain subsided.

The Pace Attack: Choices to Make

While Jasprit Bumrah, captaining the team, and Mohammed Siraj are locked in to share the new ball, the identity of the third seamer remains uncertain. Prasidh Krishna, with his ability to extract bounce and trouble batters—including drawing an edge from Kohli during practice—looks like the front-runner. Bowling coach Morne Morkel spent considerable time mentoring Krishna, a hint of his growing role in the attack.

Harshit Rana, who has been consistently impressive, and Akash Deep, who bowled an impactful late session, remain strong contenders. Nitish Kumar Reddy, a seam-bowling all-rounder, also impressed with his pace and skiddy trajectory, receiving constant feedback from senior players like Kohli and Rahul.

Spin Options: Experience vs. Experimentation

The No. 8 slot raises an intriguing debate. R. Ashwin, with his wealth of experience, seems a natural choice, especially on a Perth pitch where Nathan Lyon has excelled in the past. Ashwin spent significant time bowling alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, followed by a detailed pitch analysis session with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team analyst.

Jadeja, who hasn’t bowled extensively during the team’s time in Perth, is likely to feature as a dual-role player. The only scenario where Ashwin might miss out is if India opts for a fourth seamer like Rana or takes a gamble on Nitish Kumar Reddy for his all-around capabilities.

A Workable XI Amid Challenges

India’s playing XI appears to be shaping up with a likely top six comprising Rahul, Jaiswal, Padikkal, Kohli, Pant, and Jurel. Bumrah and Siraj lead the bowling attack, while Krishna could slot in as the third pacer. Ashwin and Jadeja provide spin options unless the team management opts for an additional seamer or an all-rounder.

Despite injuries to key players like Gill and Shubman, the Indian team looks poised to field a strong XI, capable of making an impact in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium on November 22. The next two days will be crucial in finalizing the combinations and ensuring readiness for a highly anticipated showdown against Australia.