India's predicted playing XI for the 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test vs Australia | December 14, 2024
India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the third Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The encounter will commence on Saturday, December 14, at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The series is currently level at 1-1, and India have some selection decisions to make in multiple departments. While there are doubts over a couple of batters' ideal positions, the bowling unit could witness a couple of changes as well.
India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal.
As the visitors attempt to pull ahead in the series once again, which route will they take? On that note, here is India's predicted playing XI for the third Test against Australia.
Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
Reports from certain quarters have suggested that Rohit Sharma is eyeing a return to the top of the order, but that might not be the best idea for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul have appeared much more solid than the Indian skipper, who has struggled against seam movement and could be more likely to succeed when the ball is a bit older.
Middle order: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy
India's middle order is expected to wear a similar look to the second Test. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant will form the backbone of the batting unit, with Rohit in desperate need of runs alongside them.
The visitors don't seem to have much faith in Nitish Kumar Reddy's bowling, but his batting has been so encouraging that it would be hard to drop him. The fast-bowling all-rounder might be tasked with a slightly higher bowling workload at the Gabba.
Ravindra Jadeja could thus be kept out of the playing XI once again.
Lower order: Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
Washington Sundar had a good time out at the Gabba on the last tour, and he could slot in for Ravichandran Ashwin. The young off-spinner adds more solidity with the bat, and his overspin-heavy bowling might be more suited to the conditions.
Harshit Rana lacked control in Adelaide, and although his pace and bounce could prove to be a big asset in Brisbane, India might want a little more control from their third seamer. Akash Deep, who is excellent to left-handers from around the wicket, could play his first game of the series.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack once again, having recovered from a niggle that he suffered in Adelaide. Mohammed Siraj will take the new ball alongside Bumrah, with India desperately needing him to step up.