Rohit Sharma after the loss in Adelaide [Source: AP Photos]
So far, the Border-Gavaskar Series has lived up to its hype with both the teams - India and Australia winning a match each. The visitors crushed Australia to win the Perth Test, and the Pat Cummins led side bounced back to win the Adelaide Pink-Ball Test match by 10 wickets.
Now, the caravan shifts towards the historic Test in Gabba and India will feel they have good memories at this very venue. It was here almost 4 years ago that a depleted Indian team defeated Australia to clinch the series, 2-1.
However, in four years time, things have changed and unfortunately this time around, India are not the firm favourites to win the Gabba Test. We give you three reasons as to why India won't win the 3rd Test.
3) Indian Batting looks fragile
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, the two experienced players have not been at their best in recent times. Kohli scored a century in Perth, but in the other three innings, he was dismissed cheaply.
Rohit, on the other hand missed the Perth Test, but was made to look clueless by Pat Cummins in Adelaide. Similarly, Yashasvi Jaiswal showed promise in the second innings of the first Test, but he also registered two ducks in the series and needs to find his groove.
Even one of the best players in Australian conditions, Rishabh Pant has failed to deliver so far, meaning that India head into the Gabba Test with an undercooked batting lineup, and it is a recipe for disaster on a fast and bouncy surface.
2) Bumrah has had lack of support from other end
In the Adelaide Test, it was Jasprit Bumrah who delivered the goods, while all the other bowlers failed. Yes, Mohammed Siraj took 4 wickets, but it wasn't before he was taken for the cleaners by Travis Head.
On the other hand, Harshit Rana went at almost 5.5 runs per over, and lacked the cutting edge to disrupt the Aussie batting. The pace battery lacks the inexperienced of playing in Australian conditions and it could come back to haunt them, especially with Bumrah, fighting the lone battle.
1) Captaincy hasn't been upto the mark
There is no doubt that Rohit Shaema is a supreme leader in white-ball cricket, but he lacks the aggression in Tests. He has a laidback approach in Test cricket and he waits for the opportunity to arrive, rather than going after it.
Even in the Adelaide Test, he played the wait game and made some tactical blunders which included removing Bumrah from the attack when he had scalped two quick wickets before Lunch on Day 2.
If the same trend continues in the 3rd Test match, Australia will once again have the upper hand and could potentially go onto win the contest.