India and Australia are gearing up for a decisive clash in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on December 14 at The Gabba in Brisbane. With the series evenly balanced at 1-1, both teams will be vying to take the upper hand in this pivotal encounter. The previous Test in Adelaide saw Australia secure a commanding 10-wicket victory.
India batted first but managed only 180 runs, with Nitish Reddy standing out with a top score of 42. Australia’s Mitchell Starc dismantled the Indian batting lineup with a brilliant six-wicket haul. In reply, Australia posted an imposing 337 runs, courtesy of Travis Head’s outstanding 140 and Marnus Labuschagne’s solid 64.
In India’s second innings, the batting unit once again faltered, mustering 175 runs. Nitish Reddy showed resilience with another 42-run knock, but Australia’s Pat Cummins proved unplayable, taking five crucial wickets. Chasing a modest target of 19 runs, the hosts cruised to victory without losing a wicket, levelling the series emphatically.
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The stage is now set for the third Test at The Gabba, a venue known for its bouncy pitch and challenging conditions. Both teams have everything to play for, as a win here could define the series and bolster their chances in the World Test Championship standings. With high stakes and fierce competition, fans can expect an intense battle between two cricketing powerhouses.
Australia
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to play after recovering from a side strain that kept him out of the Adelaide Test. Hazlewood replaces Scott Boland in Australia’s only change for the Brisbane Test. Both teams are gearing up for a high-stakes clash, with the series tied 1-1 and everything to play for at The Gabba.
Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India
India’s top order has faced challenges in the series, with their best partnership being 70 for the second wicket during their victory in Perth. Australia, too, has struggled against Jasprit Bumrah, with key batters like McSweeney, Khawaja, and Smith yet to register half-centuries.
Bumrah has dominated the series, taking 12 wickets at an incredible average of 11.25, dismissing McSweeney three times and Smith and Khawaja twice each. India may consider a change in their XI, with Ravindra Jadeja or Akash Deep likely to replace Harshit Rana.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja/Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Virat Kohli, Travis Head, Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Mitchell Marsh, K Nitesh Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Travis Head (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mitchell Marsh, K Nitesh Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc (vc), Pat Cummins, Mohammad Siraj
