Rohit Sharma OUT, Jasprit Bumrah as Captain; Ind's Predicted Playing XI For 1st BGT Test v Australia

Ind vs NZ: After a forgetful series versus NZ, India take on Australia in the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With India's chances of making a third consecutive World Test Championship on the edge, the side would have to come up with their best show to challenge Australia. With there being reports that India captain Rohit Sharma will miss a Test, it is in all probability going to be the first BGT test. In the last decade, India has dominated Australia in Australia and they would be hoping for the same. They also have an opportunity to complete a hattrick of Test series wins in Australian soil. The Indian batting looks a little out-of-form and hence they would be heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah . 

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How Will India's XI Look

With Rohit set to miss the first Test, Abhimanyu Easwaran could make his debut. The Bengal batter has been in brilliant form throughout the domestic season and has hence got his chance. He would be opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Once of the top performers from India's last tour of Australia, Shubman Gill will bat at No. 3. He would be followed by arguably the best batter of the generation, Virat Kohli. There could be a toss-up for the No. 5 position between Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul . It would be interesting to see who makes it. Rishabh Pant without a doubt occupies the No. 6 spot. 

At No. 7, there could be a toss-up again, this time between Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Given his all-round abilities, Washington Sundar looks to be a certainty. Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep are likely to be the three pacers. 

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India's Likely XI For 1st Test vs Australia

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli , KL Rahul/ Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja/ Ravi Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Akash Deep

Meanwhile, another Indian team has arrived in South Africa for a T20I series. The team is led by Suryakumar Yadav .