India and Australia are all set to face each other in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The Indian team has already retained the trophy after a dominating performance in the first two Tests, winning both matches within three days each.
India has been on fire in the series, with Rohit Sharma leading the way for the team. The Indian captain has been scoring runs for fun, including a century in the first Test. Left-handed all-rounder Axar Patel has also been in top form, surprising everyone with his batting and bowling. He is the second-highest run-scorer for India with 158 runs in two matches. Ravindra Jadeja has been fantastic as well, taking 17 wickets in two matches, including two 5-wicket hauls. Ravichandran Ashwin has also been in good form, picking up 14 wickets so far in the series.
While India’s batting has been smashing it, Australia has struggled to keep up with them. Usman Khawaja has been the only Australian batter who has managed to make a significant contribution in the series, scoring 81 runs in the second Test. Peter Handscomb also scored a fifty in the first Test, but no other Aussie batter has been able to cross the 50-run mark in an innings so far. The Australian bowling has been slightly better, with Todd Murphy picking up seven wickets in the first Test and Nathan Lyon registering a 5-wicket haul in the second Test. However, the other bowlers have not been able to make an impact in the series.
As the two teams gear up for the third Test, India is expected to field the same playing 11 that won the first two Tests. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj completing the playing 11.
Australia, on the other hand, is likely to make a few changes to their playing 11. Matt Renshaw is expected to replace Marcus Harris at the top of the order, while Alex Carey may come in for Tim Paine as the wicket-keeper. Scott Boland or Lance Morris may also be included in the team to strengthen the bowling attack.
India has the upper hand in the head-to-head competition between the two sides in the longest format. Rohit Sharma has been the top scorer for team India in the series, followed by left-handed all-rounder Axar Patel. Ravindra Jadeja has been the top wicket-taker with 17 wickets to his name in 2 matches, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin with 14 wickets to his name. Australia has struggled in the series, with only Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb managing to score a fifty. The rest of the batting line-up has been unable to cross the 50-run mark in an innings.
The third Test promises to be an exciting contest, with India looking to complete a whitewash and Australia hoping to avoid a humiliating defeat. The match will begin at 09:30 AM IST, and cricket fans all over the world are eagerly waiting for the action to begin.
India vs Australia 3rd Test – Probable XIs
India Probable XI – Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill/KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Australia Probable XI – Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann
