Australia vs India 2020: Predicted Playing 11 for 3rd Test – Rohit to return

Australia vs India 2020: Rohit Sharma set to return as we look at the predicted playing 11 for Team India for the 3rd test. 

Indian camp would be happiest one right now with two good news coming their way in the last few days. First, they make an unimaginable comeback in the second Test after being morally humiliated in the first Test. Second, their star batsman, Rohit Sharma joins the squad, and is also being named the vice-captain of the team.

However, the team now face a big hurdle as Umesh Yadav has been ruled out and Rohit Sharma is available to play. This means India would be expected to do two forced changes. So, which batsman makes way for Rohit, and which bowler replaces the injured Umesh? Let’s find out in our predicted playing 11 for Team India for the 3rd Test between India vs Australia.

Team India’s squad for Third Test Match:

Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, and Mohd. Siraj.

Predicted Playing 11 – Team India

Openers: Mayank Agarwal & Rohit Sharma

The return of just announced Test team vice-captain Rohit Sharma is going to make the selection of the opening combination tricky. On one hand, we have the out of form Mayank Agarwal, and on the other hand, we have Shubman Gill, who made a fantastic debut as an opener. However, one of these will have to make way for Rohit Sharma, who shall return to his original position. 

Before this series, Mayank had done extremely well as an opener scoring over 1000 runs and averaging around 48 in the 13 matches he had played so far. While the failure in the 4 innings isn’t a good thing, dropping Mayank for that isn’t the solution. Dropping Mayank would send a wrong signal, and also disturb the confidence of the player being in the initial stage of his career. 

Hence, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal should continue as the openers of the squad for the third Test match at SCG. Meanwhile, Gill, who made an excellent debut, and showed some great intent will have to sacrifice his opening position. However, dropping him would not be wise, and he should play at number 4 or 5 depending on where Rahane wants him to play.

Middle-order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill & Ajinkya Rahane (C) 

With Rohit certain to play the third Test match, the middle-order shall see one change. To be honest, Vihari doesn’t deserve to get dropped for just 4 poor outings, and had Rohit not been there, he should have continued. But, because Rohit is back, Vihari sitting out is a forced change. Gill as said above should play in the middle-order after a stunning debut. Meanwhile, Rahane can play at 4 or 5 depending upon Gill’s position. 

Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant impressed in the batting as well as the wicket-keeping department in the second Test match. His attacking 29(40) changed the complexion of the game as it drifted more towards Team India. Also, as a wicket-keeper, Rishabh made very fewer fumbles, and did a great job overall. 

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja & Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravindra Jadeja accounted for 3 wickets and also scored a valuable fifty in the first Test match. His brilliant all-round show in the first Test match means he would once again play in the place of a specialist batsman. Meanwhile, Ashwin needs to give good returns in the batting department after having impressed with his bowling. 

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini & Mohammed Siraj

The injury to Umesh Yadav in the second Test has now left India without 3 of their first-choice pacers including Ishant Sharma & Mohammed Shami. However, this now gives the opportunity to the backup pacers like Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, and T Natarajan to make a mark in international cricket. 

In Umesh’s absence, Team India would have to make a call between Saini, Shardul, or Natarajan for the third pacer. While Saini has been in the squad since the start, Shardul was added as the replacement of Shami, and Natarajan as the replacement of Umesh.

Looking at the situation, Team India can opt to play the pace & height of Saini or the x-factor of Natarajan. Given the format, Saini should get an edge over Natarajan, unless Team India think otherwise. Meanwhile, Bumrah and Siraj should continue to be the primary two pacers. 

So, that completes the predicted playing 11 for the 3rd Test match between India and Australia.

Australia vs India 2020: Predicted Playing 11 for Team India for 3rd Test:

Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, & Mohammed Siraj.

Australia vs India 2020: Predicted Playing 11 for Australia for 3rd Test:

David Warner, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Tim Paine (C&WK), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, & Josh Hazlewood.

Thanks for reading! What’s your preferred playing 11 for India vs Australia 3rd Test? Please email your comments on business@cricalytics.com

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