The 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy resumes at the Gabba in Brisbane, with India and Australia locked at 1-1 after two gripping matches. India’s commanding win in Perth gave them an early advantage, but Australia bounced back with a resounding 10-wicket triumph in Adelaide, led by standout performances from Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Travis Head.
As the series approaches its crucial third Test, both teams are keen to gain the upper hand, not only in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also in the race for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. For India, a loss would seriously jeopardize their WTC aspirations, making their team selection and strategies critical for this match.
Rohit Sharma to Open Again
Rohit Sharma is expected to return to his familiar opening position after an underwhelming performance in the middle order during the Adelaide Test. The skipper will aim to set the tone alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is searching for consistency at the top. Rohit’s leadership at the top of the order will be crucial for India’s fortunes in Brisbane.
Middle-Order Adjustments
India’s middle order is likely to see some shuffling, with KL Rahul moving down to bat at No. 5 or No. 6, depending on when Rishabh Pant joins the action. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has impressed with his form, might see an increased bowling workload to complement his contributions with the bat.
Likely Change in Bowling Attack
A significant change is expected in India’s pace attack, with Akash Deep set to replace Harshit Rana. Although Harshit showed promise on debut in Perth, he struggled under pressure in Adelaide, particularly against Travis Head. Akash Deep, a more experienced seamer, offers a better match for the Gabba’s pace-friendly conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to retain his spot as the frontline spinner, despite Washington Sundar’s success at this venue in the past. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will spearhead the pace attack, as they remain key to India’s success.
India’s Predicted XI for 3rd Test
Rohit Sharma (c)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant (wk)
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Ravichandran Ashwin
Akash Deep
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
A Crucial Test at a Historic Venue
India’s historic victory at the Gabba in 2021 will serve as an inspiration as they seek to regain momentum in the series. With high stakes on both sides, this match promises to be a thrilling contest that could shape the outcome of the series and the WTC standings.
