R Ashwin Dropped, Mohammed Shami Included; Will Rohit Sharma Step Down? India’s Possible XI for 3rd Test Against Australia

India faced a heavy defeat to Australia in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, leaving them with plenty to ponder ahead of the third Test in Brisbane.

New Delhi: India endured a comprehensive defeat to Australia in the second Test at Adelaide. While the visitors had been brilliant in the first Test, securing a commanding 295-run victory, Australia delivered a harsh reality check with a dominant 10-wicket win in the second Test. This heavy loss will give India much to reflect on as they prepare for the third Test. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is evenly poised and completely open, with both teams level at 1-1 after the second Test match.

The form of senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remains a major concern, while Jasprit Bumrah‘s workload management is likely to spark debate. The third Test, set to be played in Brisbane, is known for its fast and bouncy tracks. Following the defeat and the conditions at the next venue, changes to the Indian XI seem inevitable. Let’s take a look at how India’s lineup could shape up for the third Test against Australia.

India’s Probable XI For 3rd Test

India will be hoping that Mohammed Shami joins the squad for the third Test after boarding a flight to Australia soon. If Shami is declared fit, it would be a significant boost for the Indian team. He could potentially replace Harshit Rana in the playing XI. While India included R Ashwin in the second Test, he appeared ineffective, likely due to the pitch offering little assistance for spinners.

Ashwin could once again be dropped from the XI, with Washington Sundar making a return to the team. There is a slight possibility that India might opt for an all-pace attack, but this would lengthen India’s tail. Given the current form of the top-order batters, India would likely need the cushion of a bowling all-rounder, which is where Sundar’s inclusion becomes valuable.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami/Harshit Rana/Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

There have been calls for Rohit Sharma to step down from the playing XI due to his poor form, with his struggles evident in the second Test in Adelaide. While there have been occasions in the past where captains have dropped themselves, it seems unlikely that Rohit would take such a bold decision. Even if he were inclined to do so, Gautam Gambhir may not support the move. Although Jasprit Bumrah could step in as a leadership alternative, India would lack an experienced batter if Rohit were to be dropped. The rest of the team is likely to remain unchanged.