The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has reached a thrilling stage, with both teams locked at 1-1, making the third Test a crucial decider. The match will be played at the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane, and the winner will take a 2-1 lead in the series. After a humiliating defeat in Adelaide, where India suffered a 10-wicket loss, the Indian team is looking to make a strong comeback.
With key changes expected in India’s Playing XI for the third Test, here's a look at the potential changes and how the team might shape up:
Two Players Likely to Miss Out
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Harshit Rana – The 22-year-old fast bowler had a disappointing outing in the Adelaide Test. Despite expectations, he failed to make an impact with the ball, not picking up a single wicket throughout the match. His economy rate was also high, making him one of the most expensive bowlers for India. Given his underperformance, Akash Deep is likely to replace him in the playing XI for the third Test.
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Ravichandran Ashwin – Ashwin also had an underwhelming performance with both bat and ball in the second Test. In 18 overs, he gave away 53 runs and managed to pick only one wicket, which did not meet the management's expectations. Due to his lackluster performance, there's speculation that Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja might replace him for the third Test, with Jadeja's potential inclusion gaining traction.
India’s Likely Playing XI for the Third Test
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar / Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammad Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Akash Deep
With a number of changes anticipated, India is hoping to bounce back and put up a stronger fight in the third Test to reclaim momentum and take the series lead.
