The Indian cricket team dropped Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana for the ongoing third Test after facing a crushing defeat of 10 wickets in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India brought in the spin all-rounder Ravindran Jadeja in place of Ravichandran Ashwin, while Akash Deep came in for the young pacer Harshit Rana, who was hammered by Travis Head critically in the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval.
India’s selection strategy raises eyebrows with Ravindra Jadeja’s return for the Gabba Test
After the toss at The Gabba in Brisbane, where the third Test got underway between India and Australia, the touring side’s approach of frequently changing their playing XI, particularly in the spin-bowling department, has become a talking point among the cricket pundits.
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The Indian cricket team has opted for different spinners in each of the three Tests of the ongoing five-match Test series so far in Australia. Washington Sundar began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 campaign in Perth, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin in the pink-ball Test, and now Ravindra Jadeja has been brought into the mix in Brisbane for the crucial Test match.
Reacting to the change, former Indian wicketkeeper and commentator Deep Dasgupta said that this pattern highlighted India’s strategy of adapting to conditions but also raised concerns about the lack of consistency.
Three tests, three spinners—that’s a bit of a surprise: Deep Dasgupta
However, the former Indian cricketer feels Akash Deep’s return to the playing XI has added depth to the side, and Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion brings the experience and match-winning ability he is known for.
Deep Dasgupta was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times: “Three tests, three spinners—that’s a bit of a surprise. In the last five tests, they haven’t played (Ashwin and Jadeja) with the same XI. But it’s good to see Akash Deep back in the XI. Jadeja has been a match-winner for a long time.”
Meanwhile, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said it was a surprise that the Indian team benched Jadeja for the first two Tests against Australia. Bangar said on Star Sports: “A bit surprised that they started with an off-spinner. Jadeja has been preferred. This has been the way to go.”
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We want to make the best use of the conditions in Brisbane: Rohit Sharma
Earlier, after winning the toss, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma said that the conditions in Brisbane inspired the changes in the playing XI that lost the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The Indian captain feels the Gabba pitch will get better to bat on as it progresses. He will continue to bat at number six in the ongoing third Test against Australia at The Gabba.
Rohit Sharma said at the toss, “A little bit overcast and a little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well; want to make the best use of the conditions. Big game for us here; we’ll do what is expected of us. We’ll play good cricket; we understand we have to capture some moments; we didn’t do that in the previous game, which is why we lost.
“It’s absolutely buzzing; the guys are looking forward to the match, and we’re looking forward to coming out here and playing. Looks a little soft at this point in time, conditions a bit overcast as well, it will get better to bat as it goes on,” he further said.