India National Cricket Team are all set to make two changes to the playing XI for the third Test against the Australia National Cricket Team. The third game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between the teams will be played from Saturday (14th December) at the Gabba in Brisbane
As per the reports in RevSportz, it is learned that Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana are set to be dropped for the third game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The duo will be replaced by Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana, respectively, in the team for the match.
Jaddu in place of Ashwin
Akashdeep in place of Harshit #AUSvsIND— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) December 13, 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana weren’t at their best in the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana weren’t at their best in the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which was a pink-ball Test. The off-spinner was added to the team for that match only as he replaced Washington Sundar in the XI from the first game, which took place at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t make a bigger impact with the ball as he managed just one wicket. Not only this, he also failed to score runs with the bat. He will be replaced by Ravindra Jadeja, who arguably is better with the bat as compared to an off-spinner and also is among the best spinners in the team.
Ravindra Jadeja missed the first game as Washington Sundar was preferred over him. The all-rounder also didn’t make the cut into the team for the second Test, but his absence was quite evident as India missed someone like him, who could score runs at No.7, especially in the overseas conditions.
The addition of Akash Deep will be a great boost for India in Brisbane
On the other hand, Harshit Rana made his debut for India in the first game in Perth. The fast bowler was impressive with the ball in the first game as he picked crucial wickets for the team in both innings. However, he didn’t look in complete control in the second game in Adelaide.
Harshit Rana struggled to get going with the ball in the second game, and his selection in the team was criticized a lot. In his place, Akash Deep will be playing and it will be a great boost for the India National Cricket Team, especially with the way the fast bowler has impressed many in his short career so far.
Akash Deep has been sensational against the left-handers, and with the number of lefties that are in the Australian team, he will be crucial for the team. He was staggering in Indian conditions during the home season and would want to carry on the same performance in Gabba, where wicket suits pacers.
Expected Indian playing XI for the third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Here’s the likely XI for the Brisbane Test
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj