Fri Nov 22 02:00:00 UTC 2024: ## India Unveils Surprise Debutants for Perth Test Against Australia
**Perth, Australia –** India has sprung a surprise selection for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting Friday in Perth. All-rounder Nitish Reddy and pacer Harshit Rana will make their Test debuts, a bold move by the selectors.
The biggest surprise, however, is the omission of star spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Their places will be filled by off-spinner Washington Sundar, who impressed in the recent home series against New Zealand with 16 wickets in two matches. India will field a four-pacer, one-spinner attack.
The batting lineup also features several intriguing selections. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings. Devdutt Padikkal, called up as cover for the absent Rohit Sharma, will bat at number three after strong performances for India A. Virat Kohli will bat at four, with Rishabh Pant at five and Dhruv Jurel, another wicketkeeper, playing purely as a batsman.
The Indian team for the first Test is: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah (captain). The selection represents a significant gamble by the Indian team management, prioritizing pace and a different spin option for the Perth pitch.
First Piper 