AUS vs IND, 3rd Test: Harshit Rana and R Ashwin dropped as India make 2 changes to XI

Harshit Rana and R Ashwin has been dropped for the Brisbane Test as India have brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep for the match starting on Saturday, December 14.

Harshit and Ashwin didn’t have the best of times during the Adelaide Test as both men were not successful with the ball. Harshit, who impressed in the Perth Test, was taken apart by the Aussie batters in Adelaide as he conceded 86 runs in 16 overs without picking up any wickets.

Ashwin picked up 1 wicket in his 18 overs while conceding 83 runs. Jadeja and Akash Deep returned to the team for the first time since playing in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand last month. India won the toss and opted to bowl first on the day as it has been overcast in Brisbane in the morning, with chances of rain later on in the day.

Rohit said that the visitors wanted to make the best use of the conditions. The India skipper said that they will be ready to play some good cricket and the players are looking forward to the match.

“We’re going to bowl first. Little bit overcast and little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well, want to make best use of the conditions. Lot of cricket to be played, both teams have played good cricket in the last two games. Big game for us here, we’ll do what is expected of us. We’ll play good cricket, we understand we have to capture some moments, we didn’t do that in the previous game which is why we lost.”

“It’s absolutely buzzing, the guys are looking forward to the match, we’re looking forward to coming out here and playing. Looks a little soft at this point in time, conditions bit overcast as well, it will get better to bat as it goes on. We’ve made two changes, Jadeja and Akash back in place of Ashwin and Harshit,” said Rohit.

Australia had already announced their playing XI on December 13 with Josh Hazlewood coming in for Scott Boland.

Brisbane Test: Playing XIs
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 (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep