BGT 2024-25: Why did India drop R Ashwin from 3rd test in Gabba, Brisbane?

R Ashwin was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the Gabba test.

The BGT 2024-25 resumed on Saturday morning with the third test of the series that kicked off at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The series currently is levelled at 1-1. India hammered Australia by 295 runs in the first test in Perth but the hosts romped home by 10 wickets in the second test in Adelaide.

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing overcast conditions. India made two changes to their playing XI: Harshit Rana and R Ashwin were replaced by Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rana had a poor game in Adelaide, leaking 86 runs in 16 overs and hence was replaced by Deep. Ashwin had an ordinary outing, with bowling figures of 1/53 and scored 29 runs. This is Jadeja’s first match of the series.

BGT 2024-25: Why did India drop R Ashwin from 3rd test in Gabba, Brisbane?

It feels that India wanted the extra batting cushion in Brisbane after their dismal batting performances in Adelaide, where they managed scores of 180 and 175. Hence, they went with Ravindra Jadeja over R Ashwin at the Gabba, where not much spin is expected either. India banked on Jadeja’s value as a proper all-rounder who can contribute well with the bat over Ashwin’s pedigree with the ball alone.

However, it’s interesting and confusing that for the same reasons, India had opted for Washington Sundar in the first test in Perth and not Jadeja.

IND vs AUS 3rd 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

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