BGT 2024-25- Top 3 players to watch out for in Gabba (Source: Instagram)
The high-voltage Australia (AUS) and India (IND) series are currently poised at 1-1. The visitors handed the Pat Cummins-led side a humiliating 295-run defeat in the first Test in Perth, while Australia bounced back to clinch a clinical 10-wicket victory in the second Test at Adelaide. Both teams looked strong in patches but the team that eventually remains consistent can runway with the series, which is vital to decide the finalists of the World Test Championship (WTC) finale.
When it comes to Australia, certain areas need to be addressed. The form of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood’s injury concerns need to be monitored while India’s pace-bowling unit barring Jasprit Bumrah, looked quite undercooked, which is not a good sign for the visitors with three more matches remaining in the series. On the other hand, there have been players who have been phenomenal and will be key for the Gabba Test as both teams will look forward to taking a lead in the series.
Here are the three players who can make a difference at the iconic Gabba.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been consistent for India in the series against India. He isn’t a high-profile name like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli and neither did he score a century in the series but consistency is always important, particularly in Test cricket. Batting at number seven, there was tremendous pressure on him to deliver as Ravindra Jadeja was waiting in the wings but Reddy proved his value and amassed 163 runs in two matches so far.
He hasn’t been used as a bowler a lot but has done well on the field. However, it’s his batting that will be key. A little more support from the other end will help the cricketer get better but so far, the 21-year-old has looked in good shape and wasn’t shy to bat aggressively against quality pace attack of Australia.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Team India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made a significant difference with the ball in the first two Tests. He made it easy for the visitors and it can be said that the 31-year-old carried the bowling unit. He has picked up 12 wickets in two matches at an average of 11.25. Moreover, he is currently the leading wicket-taker of the series. However, for India to win the Gabba Test, Bumrah would need some support in the middle.
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Gabba usually supports the pacers early on and Bumrah will be vital in the first innings, especially with the new ball. His partnership with Mohammed Siraj can shape things for India, as they are desperate to return to winning ways. It’ll also be interesting to see how captain Rohit Sharma uses Bumrah in the middle. In Adelaide, he didn’t bowl to Travis Head early on and that cost India the Test.
1. Travis Head
Travis Head has been ruthless in both the Tests so far against India. He has been incredible with the bat, scoring 240 runs in two matches, including a century in his home ground of Adelaide. He has troubled India in the past and it’s nothing different in the ongoing series. Indian quicks haven’t been very effective against the batter and Head is someone who can walk away with the game.
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The 30-year-old usually struggles against short-pitch deliveries but interestingly, Indian pacers haven’t tried that in the second Test. Bumrah’s late arrival is also one of the reasons behind him getting the mojo. He will be extremely vital for the team at Gabba, especially when the senior batters are yet to join the run-scoring bandwagon.