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Predicting India’s Playing XI For The 3rd Test Match Against Australia

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Rohit Sharma and Navdeep Saini
Photo Source: Twitter

Despite all the odds, Team India managed to clinch a sensational victory in the Boxing Day Test Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Especially after a demoralizing loss in the first counter, it was immense of the Indian Team to claim a comeback win.

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That said, there are still two games to go in the series, and the tournament is still wide open. The home side is sure to come back stronger, and the Indian Team also has a few plugs to answer. The next game might happen as per schedule at SCG, and all eyes would be on Team India’s playing XI selection for that game. In this article, we predict the likely XI which Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Shashtri could pick for the penultimate encounter.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

In four innings, Mayank Agarwal was able to reach double-digits on only one occasion. His technique also looks fragile, and it might be better off if he is given a miss for this game. To take his place, Team India might give in to the temptation of selecting Rohit Sharma. Rohit is a class batsman, and despite his fitness issues, he could beat KL Rahul to a place in the playing XI. As for the second openers’ spot, at least until the end of this series, Shubman Gill has made it his own. His performances will also be crucial for the team in the third encounter.

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Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajnikya Rahane (C), Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant (WK)

We opine that Team India will go for the same middle-order for the next game. Especially when you consider that the team has lost an early wicket in every innings, the middle-order’s real test is at the job they are designated to do. While Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are undroppable, there could be few debates about Vihari’s form. That said, Team India might still stick with the rising cricketer. He played well in the practice games, and a decent time in the middle could help him rediscover his touch. Pant will keep his place despite the dropped catches mainly because of the X-factor he offers to the batting unit.

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All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane
Photo: Ravindra Jadeja/Instagram

Ravindra Jadeja yet again displayed why he is so important to the team. While with the ball, he picked timely wickets, Jaddu also contributed nicely with the bat. As usual, he was brilliant as a fielder too. Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling form was crucial to Team India in the second game. His primary role will stay intact, but the management could expect more from him with the willow. Ashwin is experienced, and considering the lower-order is fragile, the player would have to stick for a longer time at the crease.

Bowlers: Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

Umesh Yadav is likely to miss the third game. Hence, the management will have to go for a change in this department. Despite T Natarajan’s presence in the camp, we feel Navdeep Saini will get the go. Similar to Siraj, Saini has done well in the domestic circuit, and therefore, he deserves the chance. The Delhi cricketer also did well in the practice game with a few wickets. As for the other two spots, it will remain the same as the second game. Both Bumrah and Siraj will look to emulate their performances of Melbourne at Sydney.