3 changes India need to consider for 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test at the Gabba ft. Ravindra Jadeja
Team India suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat against Australia in the second Test in Adelaide on Sunday, December 8. The five-match series is currently at 1-1, with three matches to be played in the BGT 2024-25.
The action will now shift to Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test starting 14 December. The Indian team will have fond memories of that ground. A depleted Indian team marred by injuries to key players had created history in 2021 by winning the Test match at the venue and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Team India will consider making certain changes for the Gabba Test. Below are three such changes the team could consider for the crucial third Test:
#1 Ravindra Jadeja in the India playing XI instead of Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin had an ordinary outing in Adelaide. The pitch did not assist spinners and the wily off-spinner bowled 18 overs, picking up the solitary wicket of Mitchell Marsh. With the bat, he scored 29 runs across two innings.
Ashwin has not been in the best of form with the ball since the home series against New Zealand. While his counterparts made merry on the Indian pitches, Ashwin managed to pick up only nine wickets in three matches at an average of 41.22.
The team management could look to rope in Ravindra Jadeja for the Gabba Test. The all-rounder picked up 16 wickets at an average of 21.56 in six innings against New Zealand at home.
With the bat, Jadeja is a handy player at number seven and has performed well in Australia in the past. In five Test innings down under, he averages 43.75 with the bat and could add stability to the lower middle order. He has also picked up 14 Test wickets in Australia at an average of 21.78. Add to that, Jadeja is a live wire in the field.
Thus India should prefer Jadeja over Ashwin in the playing XI in the Gabba Test considering his past record in Australia.
#2 Akash Deep in place of Harshit Rana
Akash Deep can generate seam movement and is known for his control over the line and length. He made an immediate impact by picking up three English wickets on his Test debut in Ranchi earlier this year.
The pacer has played five Tests (all at home) and has picked up 10 wickets at an impressive average of 25.80. Given that Gabba is expected to produce a flat deck, Akash could find himself in the playing XI considering the skills he possesses with the ball.
Harshit Rana failed to pick up a wicket in the Adelaide Test and looked out of sorts. He was taken to the cleaners by Travis Head and the pacer conceded 86 runs in 16 overs. He also failed to open his account in both the innings with the bat.
#3 Prasidh Krishna to play ahead of Harshit Rana
Team India could consider playing Prasidh Krishna ahead of Rana as the Gabba has been known to assist pace bowling. While Krishna is known to leak a few runs, he can hit the deck hard and pick up wickets at crucial intervals.
Krishna was the pick of the bowlers in the recently concluded unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 17.30. He also scored 43 runs in the second unofficial Test, proving that he is no mug with the bat and can hold one end up if need be.
The pacer was out of action due to a quadricep injury sustained earlier this year in a Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat. However, he is back to his best and is a good option for the Gabba Test ahead of the out-of-form Harshit Rana.