Team India will take on Australia in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting on Saturday, December 14. Following the recent loss in the Adelaide Test match, former Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla has proposed a key change to the team’s playing XI.
After India’s 295-run victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, the circumstances changed quickly as Australia bounced back to win the second Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets. The home team outplayed the Rohit Sharma-led side and continued their strong record in pink-ball matches.
Watch – Piyush Chawla Picks India’s Playing XI for Gabba Test
All eyes are now on the third Test at The Gabba as both teams are eager to take the lead in the five-match series. Piyush Chawla has suggested a key change to India’s playing XI. Chawla wants Akash Deep to replace Harshit Rana. He has kept the rest of the lineup unchanged for the upcoming red-ball match.
#PiyushChawla unveils his ideal 11 to face Australia in the crucial 3rd Test of the #BorderGavaskarTrophy at Gabba.
Who makes the cut? Find out now!2 days to go for #AUSvINDOnStar 3rd Test 👉 SAT 14 DEC, 5.20 AM onwards! #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/xLwUISAGBz
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 12, 2024
Piyush Chawla’s India XI for the 3rd Test:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
The Indian pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana struggled in the pink-ball Test. Bumrah and Siraj took four wickets each, but Rana went wicketless and conceded runs at an economy rate of 5.40. Following this underperformance, questions have arisen about Rana’s place in the XI.
Not at the expense of Harshit Rana – Sanjay Manjrekar
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advised India to be cautious when making changes to their playing XI. He believes Akash Deep should not be included at the expense of Harshit Rana. Manjrekar said that Akash could be considered as the fourth seamer if the pitch favors pace.
“Not at the expense of Harshit Rana. But, I think that might happen. Just trying to read the team management’s mind, but if it’s an all-out pace pitch, he (Akash Deep) can be the fourth seamer…So India have to think about that carefully,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
“This bowling lineup with Bumrah, Siraj, Harshit Rana, or Akash Deep is starting to look a little inadequate, if the pitch is going to be as flat as it was in Adelaide in Brisbane. Otherwise, it should be enough,” he added.
Akash Deep made his Test debut during the England series earlier this year. He performed well against Bangladesh and New Zealand in limited opportunities. The Bengal pacer has taken 10 wickets in five Tests at an average of 25.8, with his best figures being 3/83.
Also read: Sanjiv Goenka-MS Dhoni RPSG dispute sorted? LSG owner stuns Harbhajan Singh-like critics
