Rishabh Pant to be Dropped from Playing XI vs Australia in SCG Test: Report

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Indian cricket team is expected to make a couple of changes to their playing XI for the series-deciding fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line, reports suggest one of the changes could be forced by injury, while the other might see a seasoned player dropped due to poor form.

Rishabh Pant’s Position Under Scrutiny

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is under pressure after a disappointing series. The left-hander has scored just 154 runs in seven innings, averaging only 22, with no fifty-plus scores.

Despite being seen as a game-changer based on his heroics in the 2020/21 series Down Under, Pant has failed to replicate that form. Reports suggest head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma are considering replacing him for the Sydney Test.

If Pant is benched, Dhruv Jurel, who played a single Test earlier in the series and scored 11 and 1, could get another chance behind the stumps.

Akash Deep Ruled Out

Injuries have further complicated India’s team selection. Fast bowler Akash Deep has been ruled out of the final Test due to a back injury.

With India likely to field four seamers at the SCG, Harshit Rana is expected to replace Akash Deep. Rana had made his debut in Perth but was benched after struggling in the Adelaide Pink Ball Test.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah’s workload will be carefully managed. To accommodate four pacers, one of Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja might be rested. In such a scenario, Prasidh Krishna could be included in the playing XI.

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