Rohit Sharma To Drop R Ashwin, Harshit Rana? India's Probable XI For Gabba Test

Anurag Dasgupta

Ashwin likely to be dropped for Gabba Test [Source: AP Photos] Ashwin likely to be dropped for Gabba Test [Source: AP Photos]

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The stage is set as the much anticipated 3rd Test in Gabba, Brisbane will commence from December 14, Saturday. India won the first Test in Perth by a convincing margin, but were outplayed by the Aussies in the day-night game in Adelaide.

Jasprit Bumrah led Indian side were at their best in Perth as they defeated the Australian team in a one-sided affair. They were the favourites to win the Adelaide Test, but Pat Cummins and his team showed their class and now the series is evenly poised at 1:1, heading into Gabba.

In Adelaide, the team had a dismal showing and barring Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah, no one stood tall as the Aussies won by 10 wickets. The upcoming match will be crucial for India's WTC finale chances, and for that, captain Rohit Sharma needs to take some harsh calls.

Rohit, finally back as opener alongside Jaiswal

In the last Test, Rohit experimented with his batting position and came in the middle order, but the plan failed to work. The India captain failed to deliver the goods and now as per reports, he is planning to open the innings and will form the pair with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

KL Rahul back in the middle order after failing in Adelaide

KL Rahul performed exceedingly well in the Perth Test win, however, the opening batter failed miserably in the Adelaide match, and now with Rohit opening, he'll slot in at number 5. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will bat at 3 and 4, and Rishabh Pant is likely to be used as a floater at number 5 and 6, depending on the match scenario.

No place for Ashwin, Washington Sundar to be drafted in

R Ashwin, who played the Pink-ball Test instead of Washington Sundar, didn't do too bad, but wasn't at his best with the ball in hand.

Sundar, on the other hand played the 1st Test, and should be back for the Gabba game, since the surface their will suit his style of bowling. The Gabba pitch has that extra bounce and Sundar is someone who can use it to his advantage, unlike Ashwin.

The Harshit Rana/Akash Deep issue

Akash Deep should have played the Pink-Ball Test, but he didn't, and for that Test, Harshit Rana should have been rested as the conditions suited Akash Deep more.

However, for the Gabba Test, Harshit will be the right choice as he is naturally a hit the deck bowler and can be someone to generate extra bounce off the surface, which Akash Deep doesn't have. Despite rumours of Harshit Rana nit getting involved in the 3rd Test, he should play the game.

India's probable XI for 3rd Test Vs Australia

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj