๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
Australia
India
Australia and India will face off in the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. With the series level at 1-1 after Australiaโs dominant performance in the Pink Ball Test, the stakes will be high. Australiaโs bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, proved lethal in Adelaide, while Travis Headโs century further solidified their grip on the match.
Indiaโs batting line-up struggled across both innings, with no significant partnerships to challenge Australia. Jasprit Bumrah was the lone bright spot for the bowling unit, but the rest failed to make an impact. Heading into the Gabba Test, India will need to overcome their recent inconsistency in their batting unit, to challenge Australiaโs disciplined attack.
In the last 5 head-to-head matches, Australia holds the edge with 3 wins, while India has just 1 victory. Similarly, in their last 5 Tests, Australia has won 3 games compared to Indiaโs solitary win.
Shubman Gill has averaged over 50 in his last eight Tests and showed promising shots in his previous outing, making him a strong candidate for a half-century in the first innings.
The betting tip is...
1st Innings - Shubman Gill to Score 50
76 %
24 %
AustraliaIndiaJosh Hazlewood is likely to return for the 3rd Test, replacing Scott Boland, who performed well in the previous game. Hazlewoodโs inclusion will strengthen the bowling attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both of whom have been exceptional. Starc has taken 44 wickets in his last 10 matches, while Cummins has 42 wickets in the same span.
Travis Head will be the key batter for Australia after his century in the last Test. Usman Khawaja, with 600 runs in his last 10 matches, and Mitchell Marsh, with 584 runs, will be vital in the batting order. Marnus Labuschagne showed promise in Adelaide, while Steve Smithโs form remains a concern.
Head, Starc and Cummins are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
Harshit Rana is expected to be replaced for the 3rd Test, with Prasidh Krishna or Akash Deep likely to take his spot. Jasprit Bumrah, the highest wicket-taker of the series with 12 wickets, will continue to lead the bowling attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal, with 955 runs at an average of 53.06 in his last 10 matches, will remain Indiaโs key batter. Virat Kohliโs role will also be critical in anchoring the innings.
Rohit Sharma might move back to the opening slot alongside Jaiswal. Shubman Gill has been consistent with 658 runs at an average of 50.62 in his last 8 matches. Nitish Reddy has contributed significantly with impactful middle-order performances and will be expected to support the top order.
Jaiswal, Kohli and Bumrah are the in-form players.
Predicted Lineup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Nitish Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna/Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
India will aim to bounce back strongly in the 3rd Test, especially with their batters showing signs of improvement. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy have been consistent performers, and Shubman Gill will likely be pivotal at the top of the order.
Gill, with an average of over 50 in his last eight Tests, has demonstrated excellent form and looks well-prepared for a significant contribution.
The Australian bowlers, led by Cummins and Starc, will pose a tough challenge, but the conditions at Brisbane could suit Gill's attacking stroke play. Expect Indiaโs top order to perform better in this match, with Gill being a key contender for a standout innings in the first innings and also Indiaโs top batter in the first innings.
