Sanjay Bangar & Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
The Indian team kicked off the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Australia and India locked horns in the third clash at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14. It is worth noting that the Indian team managed to register an emphatic win in the first Test in Perth.
However, despite the flying start, India failed to follow it up with another good showing. Australia managed to secure a comfortable win in Adelaide. The pink ball Test ended in a defeat for India, and with a roller coaster start to the series, India skipper Rohit Sharma made some changes to the playing XI.
The visitors brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep into the XI in place of Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana. Jadeja and Akash were not in the playing XI for the first two Tests, and according to former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, it was a surprise that Jadeja did not feature in the first two games.
“A bit surprised that they started with an off-spinner. Jadeja has been preferred. This has been the way to go,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
Furthermore, Deep Dasgupta had some opinions on the changes that India made to the playing XI as well. “Three Tests, three spinners, that’s a bit of a surprise. In the last five Tests, they haven’t played with the same XI. But it’s good to see Akash Deep back in the XI. Jadeja has been a match-winner for a long time,” he said.
Also Read: Matthew Hayden left perplexed with Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first in Gabba Test
Day 1 called off due to persistent rain
Speaking of the ongoing Test between Australia and India in Brisbane, the Indian team won the toss to kick off the proceedings. Much to everyone’s surprise, Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first, but the day could not bear much fruit due to consistent rain.
The bad weather saw the day called off after just 13.2 overs with Australia on a score of 28/0. Both sides will hope that the weather clears off on Day 2 and play is possible.