India's slip catching practice drops major hint on playing XI for Perth Test; this player set to replace injured Shubman Gill

In the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma and an injured Shubman Gill, Indian team management face a major conundrum ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. On November 19, the Indian team started practicing at the Optus Stadium, Perth. During the practice sessions, India dropped a major hint about their playing eleven for Perth Test.

The slip cordon featured Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul whereas Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. Also, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel was at silly point. Padikkal who was part of India A squad was asked to stay back after Gill fractured his thumb fielding during Day 2 of match simulations at the WACA. While India are yet to announce a replacement for Gill, it seems Padikkal may get a late entry into the team. 

Padikkal's red-ball record of late

Padikkal scored 88 runs in the first match for India A against Australia A. He scored 151 runs from four innings in the two-match series. Earlier, he scored three half-centuries for India D in Duleep Trophy 2024 before two low scores in Ranji Trophy 2024-25.

Rahul to open?

Rahul may replace Rohit who will miss the first Test. The 32-year-old copped a blow in the match simulation on Day 1 by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna. A day later, he returned and practised in the nets. He has been backed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management despite criticism after low scores in New Zealand and 'A' tour of Australia. 

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Jurel in middle order?

Jurel has been backed by many including former head coach Ravi Shastri and former Australia captain Tim Paine to bat in the middle order. Jurel scored two half-centuries in the only India A game he played. The 23-year-old did not get a chance in the home Test series against New Zealand as Rishabh Pant returned to the squad. So far, he has scored 190 runs from four innings in Test cricket including a half-century against England.

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India's Test squad for Australia -

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.