India have changed their spin bowling attack for the second time in a row, picking Ravindra Jadeja for the Brisbane Test.
The visitors have made two changes for the third Test, beginning on December 14 (Saturday) at the Gabba. Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl, a departure from the bat-first approach the team had adopted in the last two games. Rohit announced two changes for the game: picking Jadeja over R Ashwin and replacing Harshit Rana for Akash Deep.
This is the third lone spinner they have picked in the side, after playing Washington Sundar at Perth and then Ashwin in Adelaide, during the day-night encounter.
Who didn't even see the first ball he faced? And who forgot that his batting partner had an injury?
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) December 13, 2024
On the eve of the Gabba Test between India and Australia, @ovshake42 goes on a trip down memory lane – to four summers ago. https://t.co/u191g6ysDl
Jadeja’s selection could have been made with an eye on strengthening their batting line-up: Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made his debut at the Optus Stadium, batted at No.7 in the last game, with Ashwin slotting in at eight. Jadeja, one of the best all-rounders of the current era, also has a bowling average of 21.78 Down Under.
Rana, on the other hand, struggled with accuracy in the last two games and leaked runs at 4.51, picking up four wickets.
Australia have made one change, replacing Scott Boland with the fit-again Josh Hazlewood. The series is tied 1-1, after the hosts won the day-night match earlier this week.
AUS v IND XIs for Gabba Test:
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
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