It’s settled now. It is going to be a green-top wicket at Gabba, Brisbane for the third IND vs AUS Test starting on December 14. And by the looks of it, Team India would not be looking to make any changes in the playing XI, from the Adelaide Test, that India lost by 10 wickets. On a surface that would have offered extra bounce and pace, Rohit Sharma & Co. should have gone with an extra pacer, but then the team feels more secure with the presence of an experienced spinner.
KL Rahul & Yashasvi Jaiswal to Open, Rohit Sharma in Middle-order
Just like the Adelaide match, once again, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal would be openers, with Rohit Sharma expected to come in only at No. 6, after Rishabh Pant. His stats in the last few matches have been awful, where he has returned with scores of 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, and 6. Maybe, the No. 6 position will bring about a change in his fortunes.
No Change in Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli’s Order
Shubman Gill returned in the second Test after missing the first due to a thumb injury. He will continue at No. 3 and looked solid with his 31 and 28 in Adelaide. Similarly, Virat Kohli will be the usual No. 4 — and much will be expected from him after his Perth Ton. At Gabba, he has played only one Test and has scored only 19 runs, and has an average of 10. So, hopefully he will come good. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant will follow thereafter, who has only disappointed in the series so far. The southpaw has returned with scores of 37, 1, 21 and 28.
Nitish Reddy and R Ashwin All-rounders
Young all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been mighty impressive in the so far, having scored 163 runs at an average of 54, and picked up two wickets as well. He has only pushed India’s scores further, whenever the team has been in trouble and has been the most consistent in a star-studded team.
On the other hand, despite being poor in the Adelaide match, where he picked up only one wicket, Ashwin will retain his place. That was evident with the practice session he had with Morne Morkel on Wednesday, where the latter bowled at him from a shorter distance.
NO Change in Pace Battery
Lastly. there isn’t any need to tinker with the pace battery. Jasprit Bumrah has been truly brilliant after bagging 12 wickets in four innings at an average of 11.25. MOhammed Siraj has been expensive, but picked up nine wickets already. Lastly, Harshit Rana had an off game in Adelaide, but his returns in Perth — four wickets — will ensure, he gets a spot for Gabba Test too.
Predicted India Playing XI for IND vs AUS 3rd Test
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Nitish Reddy, R Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
