Predicting Indian cricket team's strongest XI for the third Test
The Indian cricket team made a splendid comeback in the second Test match against Australia. They had suffered an embarrassing loss in Adelaide. Still, they managed to put that behind and crushed the Aussies by eight wickets in Melbourne without the likes of Virat Kohli, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Rohit Sharma.
The Ajinkya Rahane-led outfit will clash with the home side in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 7, 2021. There was some speculation that the match might be moved to MCG only. However, Cricket Australia has confirmed that Sydney will play host to the Pink Test.
In this article, we will have a look at the predicted playing XI of the Indian cricket team for the third Test against Australia.
Openers - Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
Look who's joined the squad in Melbourne 😀
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2020
A warm welcome for @ImRo45 as he joins the team 🤗#TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/uw49uPkDvR
Rohit Sharma has landed in Australia and completed his quarantine period. Recently, he also joined the Indian squad. It is likely that Mayank Agarwal will make way for Rohit in the third Test. It will be harsh on Mayank but the rising star has not lived up to the expectations in the first two Tests.
Shubman Gill will retain his spot after a marvelous performance on debut. Gill missed out on his first Test fifty in the first innings and remained not out in the 2nd innings.
Middle order - Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (CAPTAIN), KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant
When your backs are up against the wall, lean back and enjoy the support of the wall!! Well done to the entire team and what a win that was💯🔥🔥🔥🥳🥳.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 29, 2020
Special mention to Mohd Siraj and @RealShubmanGill 👏👏..@ajinkyarahane88 @cheteshwar1 @Jaspritbumrah93 @y_umesh @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/4t8IlxZFlW
Cheteshwar Pujara has been the backbone of the Indian Test team for years now. He will have the onus of performing well at the SCG. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the Indian cricket team in this game. The skipper led the side from the front in Melbourne.
KL Rahul could take Hanuma Vihari’s place in the middle order. The reason behind that is Rahul has done a phenomenal job in other formats and also has a Test hundred in Australia. Rishabh Pant will retain his spot as the wicket-keeper.
All-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin
Sir Ravindra Jadeja "The All-Rounder". pic.twitter.com/y3EUvT18JJ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2020
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be the team’s two spin-bowling all-rounders. Jadeja scored a fifty with the bat in the previous Test, while Ashwin dismissed Steve Smith for a duck. The two spinners give perfect balance to the team combination.
Fast bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Navdeep Saini
Md Siraj: lost his father before the series, could not attend the last rites, comes as a replacement for Md Shami. Takes five wickets on Test debut at the MCG.
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) December 29, 2020
This is a story of resilience and perseverance. Well done!
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian cricket team’s fast bowling attack in Sydney. He will have the back of Mohammed Siraj. The right-arm fast bowler received his maiden Test cap in the Boxing Day match. Siraj impressed everyone on debut as he picked up Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green’s wickets in the first innings.
In the second innings, Siraj picked up three wickets to cement his spot in the team. The third pacer of this team could be Navdeep Saini. Umesh Yadav has reportedly returned to India after the injury he suffered in the second Test. Hence, Saini could take his place. There are rumors of Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan joining the squad. However, none of the reports are officially confirmed by BCCI till now.