As India and Australia prepare for Round 3 of what has been an exhilarating Test series, the spotlight is on Rohit Sharma. It’s been a challenging few months for the Indian captain. After overseeing India’s first-ever home Test series whitewash, Rohit Sharma‘s return to the Test side following paternity leave coincided with a crushing 10-wicket loss in Adelaide during the pink-ball Test.
The stage is set for a blockbuster third Test as Australia and India lock horns at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday, December 14. With the series level at 1-1, this match promises to be a cracker.
AUS vs IND : Previous Performances
India outclassed Australia in the first Test, defeating them by 295 runs in Perth. The Rohit Sharma-led side had the momentum leading to the Day-Night Test in Adelaide, but both the batting and bowling units failed to live up to the expectations and ended up suffering a 10-wicket defeat. The series is currently poised at 1-1 and the third Test at Gabba, Brisbane holds extreme importance as both teams are eager to take a lead in the five-match series.
The tourists began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a high, winning the series opener in Perth by 10 wickets. However, they squandered the momentum with a limp performance in Adelaide
AUS vs IND : Head to Head
India have played seven Tests at the Gabba since their first match at the venue in 1947. The visitors have won one, drawn one and lost five. The win came in 2021 when Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill led a last innings masterclass, helping India chase 328 and complete their second successive series win Down Under.
After the second test in Adelaide, Australia have taken their lead to 46 wins against India in tests. These two have played 109 tests in total, and India have won 33 matches. 29 tests between the two teams have been drawn, while one test was tied.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 109 |
| Won by Australia | 46 |
| Won by India | 33 |
| Drawn / No Result | 29 |
| Tied | 01 |
| First-ever Fixture | November 28, 1947 |
| Most-recent Fixture | December 06 , 2024 |
AUS vs IND : Pitch and Weather Report
Bowlers are likely to enjoy playing at Gabba. The curator prepared a green deck, which may trouble the batters in the first couple of days, but the surface is likely to get better in the second innings. Bowling first will be ideal, and the first session will be important for both teams.
The Gabba is known for its pace and bounce, which is a dream for pacers. However, batters who get their eye in can make the most of the true bounce and score freely. The drop-in pitch adds another dimension, and adapting quickly will be key for both sides. Historically, there’s no clear advantage to batting first or second, with 26 wins each for teams in either scenario. However, the captain winning the toss might prefer to bowl first to avoid the hostile conditions, as a green pitch awaits both teams at this venue.
Australia have lost two of their last four Tests here, after losing nothing in 32 years. There was a pattern to those two defeats though. Both took place at the end of the season, in January. In between, there was a Test against South Africa in December 2022, which ended in two days and was a party for the fast bowlers. And also one against England in December 2021 that ended in a nine-wicket win for Australia. Early-season cricket here is fast-bowler friendly, a likelihood further increased by rain forecast through the course of the Test.
AUS vs IND : Big Picture : Battle between two skippers with Rohit Sharma in focus
The tourists began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a high, winning the series opener in Perth by 10 wickets. However, they squandered the momentum with a limp performance in Adelaide. While cricket matches are seldom decided by individual performances, Rohit Sharma’s lean patch with the bat and perceived inability to lift the side under pressure have come under scrutiny.
Rohit Sharma has looked out of touch with the bat, managing to go past the 20-run mark only once in his last eight innings. In the pink-ball Test, Rohit was visibly low on confidence after offering to sacrifice his opening spot. At No. 6, Rohit Sharma looked like a walking wicket as he was undone by Scott Boland in the first innings before Pat Cummins knocked over his woodwork in the second. Rohit Sharma managed to face just 38 deliveries over two innings at the Adelaide Oval.
Additionally, some of Rohit’s decisions in the field drew criticism from pundits, particularly regarding his handling of the bowlers. Time is running out for Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma needs the runs to feel more confident as captain. With only five days between the two Tests, Rohit Sharma has had to make some big calls, both personal and team-oriented.
After a poor start in Perth, Australia came out with all guns blazing in Adelaide. Mitchell Starc was on fire, tearing through the Indian batting with a six-wicket haul. Travis Head led the charge with the bat, smashing a dominant century that put the Aussies firmly in the driver’s seat.
Captain Pat Cummins showed why he’s considered one of the best, picking up a five-wicket haul in the second innings to bowl India out of the game. The Aussies looked sharp, and with Josh Hazlewood returning from injury, their bowling attack only gets stronger.
On the batting front, Marnus Labuschagne started to find his groove with a fifty, but Steve Smith’s form remains a worry. The former skipper hasn’t scored a hundred in 24 innings, and his 19 runs in the series so far are uncharacteristic. A big knock from Smith could be just around the corner, and the Aussies would love for it to come at the Gabba.
AUS vs IND : Vital Stats that matters
- Jasprit Bumrah is averaging 11.25 runs per wicket this series. The next best for India is Mohammed Siraj with 19.77 but then the gulf widens.
- Travis Head is averaging 80 and striking at 94 in this series. The next best for Australia is Alex Carey with 24 and 59.5. There’s a bit of catching up to do there for the hosts.
- Pat Cummins has an outstanding record at the Gabba: in seven Tests he has taken 40 wickets at 18.22
- India could have just four players from the famous 2020-21 victory at the Gabba: Rohit, Gill, Pant and Siraj. It could be five if Washington plays.
AUS vs IND : Team News
Australia :
Australia’s first-choice pace attack will reassemble at the Gabba with Josh Hazelwood rejoining Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Australia announced their XI for the third Test. They brought back Josh Hazlewood, who recovered from a side strain that kept him out of Adelaide Test, in place of Scott Boland.
Australia Playing XI : Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India :
India has no injury concerns to deal with but might shuffle its bowling pack with Washington Sundar and Akash Deep likely to get a look in.
India Predicted XI : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk.), KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
AUS vs IND Fantasy XI : Travis Head, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mitchell Marsh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Virat Kohli, Marnus Labuschagne
AUS vs IND : Players to watch out for
Steve Smith :
Steve Smith has 19 runs in two Tests. His last hundred was 24 innings ago. But there was a 91 not out in there, at the Gabba, which he put forward as proof that his opening the batting for Australia was not really the worst idea. Back at No. 4, due to popular demand, he has had a little trouble starting his innings, trouble that he used to avoid, like getting lbw.
Rishabh Pant :
Rishabh Pant continues to do Rishabh Pant things. In Adelaide, with India three down in the 15th over, he charged out of the crease and flayed Scott Boland over cover. He was also seen at Rundle mall, putting his shopping on hold to play peek-a-boo with a little kid. Now he’s at the scene of his greatest triumph as a cricketer after his greatest triumph as a person.
AUS vs IND : Match Prediction
A lot will be at stake when India and Australia take the field on Saturday for the third Test. Both teams are eyeing a place in the World Test Championship final and a victory in the upcoming Test will be a huge boost for either of them.
On the other hand, a loss could very well derail their campaign. With so much at stake, the fans can expect another classic Test between these two formidable opponents.
India are largely dependent on Jasprit Bumrah, and teams rarely win in Australia on just a single bowler. Australia have wicket-taking bowlers, which helped them win the second test. India’s batting is also vulnerable. That is why we back Australia to win the third test at the Gabba. Considering the current form, home advantage and track record at the venue, Australia are the firm favourites to win the third Test.