India have made significant adjustments to their playing XI for the crucial third Test against Australia at the Gabba, following a disappointing performance in the Adelaide Test. The series is currently tied at 1-1, making this match pivotal for both teams as they vie for supremacy in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024.

Team India rethinking the bowling attack

After a lackluster display in Adelaide, where Harshit Rana conceded 86 runs off 16 overs without taking a wicket, the Indian management decided to rest the young pacer. In his place, Akash Deep has been brought into the squad. Deep’s inclusion is seen as a fresh opportunity for him to showcase his skills on Australian soil, especially after impressing during his previous outings against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The decision to drop Ravichandran Ashwin also reflects India’s need for a more effective spin option. Ashwin had been recalled for the second Test but struggled to make an impact with the pink ball, prompting the team to reinstate Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja’s experience and all-round capabilities are expected to strengthen both the bowling attack and batting depth, particularly on a pitch that may favour spinners.

Also READ: Australia or India? Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist predict the winner of Gabba Test

Captaincy decisions keeping overcast conditions in mind

Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Gabba, citing overcast conditions and a grassy pitch as key factors influencing his decision. He acknowledged that both teams have played well in previous matches but stressed that India must seize critical moments to secure victory.

�?em>We’re going to bowl first. Little bit overcast and little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well, want to make best use of the conditions. Lot of cricket to be played, both teams have played good cricket in the last two games. Big game for us here, we’ll do what is expected of us. We’ll play good cricket, we understand we have to capture some moments, we didn’t do that in the previous game which is why we lost,�?/em> Rohit stated during the toss, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on early assistance from the pitch.

Sharma’s leadership will be tested as he aims to guide his team back into form after their defeat in Adelaide. The captain’s return to the middle order is also a strategic move designed to bolster India’s batting lineup against a formidable Australian attack.

Return of Josh Hazlewood to the Australian team

On Australia’s side, they have made one notable change by bringing back Josh Hazlewood, who missed the second Test due to a side strain. Hazlewood replaces Scott Boland, who had performed admirably with the pink ball but is now sidelined due to injury. This adjustment aim to enhance Australia’s bowling strength as they seek to exploit any weaknesses in India’s lineup.

Here’s the playing XI of both teams for the Gabba Test

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey (wk), Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: 6 players from India’s historic Gabba victory in 2021 who will miss the 2024 Brisbane Test

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India and Australia are gearing up for the much anticipated third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25. Scheduled to take place at the iconic Gabba stadium in Brisbane, the match will run from December 14 to 18. With the series poised at 1-1 after two enthralling contests, this match holds immense significance, not just for the series win but also for qualification to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Both teams have much to prove, and fans expect an enthralling battle between two cricketing giants.

India’s defeat in the Adelaide Test against Australia

Australia made a strong statement in the second Test at Adelaide, coming back from a 295-run loss in the first Test at Perth to claim a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. The win was powered by stellar performances from key Australian players. Mitchell Starc was the standout bowler, taking 8 wickets across the match, while Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, contributed significantly with 7 wickets of his own.

The batting side was led by Travis Head, who played an extraordinary innings, scoring 140 runs off 141 balls in the first innings, and Marnus Labuschagne, who added a solid 64 runs off 126 balls. This well-rounded effort saw Australia level the series and set the stage for an intense clash in Brisbane.

India, on the other hand, had a mixed performance in the first two Tests. While they showed promise in the opening match at Perth, which they won by a commanding 295-run margin, their batting lineup struggled to replicate that form in Adelaide. The team’s inability to post competitive totals, combined with Australia’s strong bowling attack, saw them suffer a resounding defeat.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s insights for the Brisbane Test: A potential change for India

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batter turned commentator, has weighed in on the potential changes to the Indian side for the third Test. Speaking on the topic, Pujara emphasized that, in his opinion, the only change that might be necessary would involve bringing in Washington Sundar in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Pujara, known for his thoughtful analysis, shared his views during an interview on Star Sports.

“I feel the only change might happen. Since the batting wasn’t good, Washington Sundar can come in place of R Ashwin. Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion – no. You backed him and he performed well in the first match. The second match was bad for him,” said Pujara.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Should India drop Harshit Rana for the third Test against Australia?

The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Harshit Rana shouldn’t be dropped for one poor performance, highlighting his value as a bowler. He emphasized the need for team support to maintain his confidence. The only potential change could be replacing Ashwin with Sundar to strengthen the batting lineup.

“However, the team will have to support him. He is a good bowler. You cannot drop him just because one match went bad. We will have to see what the team management thinks but probably only change for me – if they feel the batting lineup needs strengthening, Washington can play for Ashwin,” Pujara added.

Sundar had shown his value as an all-rounder in the first Test in Perth, contributing effectively both with the ball and the bat. In the first innings, Sundar managed to take two crucial wickets, while in the second innings, he made a valuable contribution of 29 runs, helping India secure a 295-run win. Despite this performance, Sundar was replaced by Ashwin in the Adelaide Test, a move that did not pay off as India suffered a heavy loss.

Harshit Rana: A retained option?

One of the key points raised by Pujara is the matter of Rana, who had mixed performances in the first two Tests. Rana, who made his debut in the series, showcased promising signs in Perth with figures of 3/48 in the first innings and a total of four wickets across the match. However, he had an indifferent outing in Adelaide, failing to take any wickets and conceding runs at a high rate. Despite this, Pujara stands firm on his belief that Rana should not be dropped:

“Rana picked up four wickets, including impressive figures of 3/48 in the first innings, in the first Test in Perth. However, he was wicketless in Adelaide and proved quite expensive apart from bagging a pair with the bat. You backed him and he performed well in the first match. The second match was bad for him. The team will have to support him. He is a good bowler. You cannot drop him just because one match went bad,” Pujara concluded.

Also READ: Kapil Dev makes a bold remark on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy amid criticism following India’s Adelaide Test loss

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India are facing a critical decision regarding the selection of fast bowler Harshit Rana for the upcoming third Test against Australia in Brisbane, following his disappointing performance in the second Test at Adelaide. The young pacer, who made his international debut earlier in the series, has come under scrutiny after going wicketless and conceding 86 runs in 16 overs, failing to build on the pressure established by his teammates.

Performance under fire

In the second Test, Rana was unable to contain the Australian batters, particularly Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, who capitalized on his erratic bowling. His inability to maintain line and length allowed Australia to quickly surpass India’s first innings total of 180, leading to widespread criticism from fans and former players alike. Many are now questioning whether Rana should be dropped for the crucial third Test in Brisbane.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has publicly called for Rana’s exclusion, suggesting that Prasidh Krishna, who has been warming the bench, should take his place. Talking to Star Sports, Harbhajan staid, “You have Prasidh Krishna sitting on the bench and he should get a chance in the third Test. He is a good bowler and can replace Harshit.” This sentiment reflects a growing impatience among fans and analysts who feel that Rana’s performance was not up to the mark in the pink-ball Test.

Support from captain

Despite the criticism, Indian captain Rohit Sharma defended Rana, emphasizing the importance of backing young players.“It is not right to drop players after just two games… The Aussie batters took advantage of his inexperience in the second game,” Rohit remarked in the post-match interview. His comments highlight a broader philosophy within the team management to provide support and patience to emerging talents.

Also READ: Kapil Dev makes a bold remark on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy amid criticism following India’s Adelaide Test loss

The debate continues

The debate over Rana’s inclusion has sparked discussions about player development and the expectations placed on young cricketers. While some argue that dropping him after one poor outing could be detrimental to his confidence, others believe that performance in such a competitive environment must be met with accountability.

As India prepares for the third Test, scheduled to begin on December 10, selectors will need to weigh Rana’s potential against his recent form. The decision will not only impact the team’s strategy but also set a precedent for how young players are treated following setbacks in their careers. With both sides of the argument gaining traction, cricket fans eagerly await the final decision regarding India’s lineup for this pivotal match.

Also READ: AUS vs IND – Ponting calls for removal of Aussie star amid Siraj-Head disciplinary hearing

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The first Test of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 kicked off at the Optus Stadium in Perth, with India gaining a slight edge after an eventful Day 1. A remarkable moment unfolded on Day 2 when Harshit Rana dismissed Mitchell Starc, inspired by timely advice from Virat Kohli. The dismissal ended Australia’s first innings at 104, giving India a crucial 46-run lead.

Harshit Rana wraps up the Australian innings

Australia’s innings concluded in dramatic fashion in the 51st over. Starc, who resisted with a 112-ball 26, attempted a slog off Rana but mistimed the shot, sending the ball skyward. Rishabh Pant, stationed behind the stumps, confidently called for the catch and made no error, sealing the final wicket. Rana’s delivery, a good-length ball at 131 kph, caught Starc off guard.

Rana’s performance was impressive, ending with figures of 3-48. His efforts were backed by the fiery Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed a five-wicket haul (5-30), dismantling the Australian top order. Kohli’s on-field guidance, observed during a brief chat with Rana before the dismissal, proved instrumental.

Off-field celebrations from the stands

The moment wasn’t just celebrated on the field. From the stands, Anushka Sharma and Sanjana Ganesan, partners of Virat and Jasprit respectively, were seen cheering passionately as the Indian players wrapped up Australia’s innings. Their reactions captured the enthusiasm of Indian fans worldwide, adding a personal touch to the game’s intensity.

Here’s the video:

http://twitter.com/expert42983/status/1860182891336249463

Also READ: AUS vs IND – Fans erupt as Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket masterclass destroys Australia on Day 2 of Perth Test

Brief Scores

India’s first innings ended at 150 on Day 1. The batting was led by Nitish Reddy (41) and Pant (38), with contributions from the lower order helping India post a competitive total. Australia’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood, who bagged four wickets for just 29 runs, while Starc, Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins provided crucial support.

In reply, Australia’s batting lineup crumbled under India’s disciplined bowling. Apart from Starc’s gritty resistance, no Australian batter managed to make a substantial contribution. The Indian pacers exploited the Perth surface expertly, giving their team a vital advantage on Day 2.

Also WATCH: Mitchell Starc warns Harshit Rana after facing bouncers on Day 2 of the AUS vs IND Perth Test

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