Indian team’s wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has selected India’s playing XI for the first match of the Border Gavaskar series. Karthik has included three spinners in his playing XI along with two pacers, while leaving out Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill from the playing XI. If we look at Karthik’s team, two players can debut for India in the first match against Australia.

Dinesh Karthik has chosen KL Rahul to open the innings along with Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill is in excellent form, but Karthik has not given him a place in his playing XI. Since landing as Test opener in England in 2021, Rahul has retained his place in the team and will look to retain it.

Karthik has kept Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in the middle order. He has given chance to Suryakumar Yadav at number five and wicket-keeper batsman KS Bharat at number six. The Andhra wicket-keeper batsman has been included in the squad in place of Rishabh Pant. Pant is injured due to a car accident and is recovering.

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In the spin department, Karthik has given chances to Ashwin, Jadeja and Akshar Patel. The two fast bowlers are Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. India will face Australia in Nagpur from Thursday (February 9) in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Dinesh Karthik’s playing XI for the first Test against Australia

Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami.