IND vs AUS: Australian Cricket Team playing 11 for 3rd test against India, Brisbane, BGT 2024-25 – Predicted

The third IND vs AUS test is slated to get underway on December 14 at the Gabba.

As the two teams left Adelaide, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is evenly poised at 1-1, with three more tests to go.

After suffering a huge defeat by 295 runs in the first test in Perth, the Australian cricket team bounced back in a stunning fashion to hammer India by 10 wickets in the second test in Adelaide.

Travis Head with his blistering century, and Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins with their five-wicket hauls were the premier stars for the hosts in their Adelaide victory, while the likes of Marnus Labuschange and Scott Boland also made vital contributions.

The action now moves to the Gabba in Brisbane, where India scripted a famous win in 2021 by breaching Australia’s fortress. The hosts would be aiming to take a revenge for that in the upcoming 3rd test of the ongoing IND vs AUS series.

While Australia won in Adelaide convincingly, a modification in their playing XI is expected for the Gabba test match.

IND vs AUS: Australian Cricket Team playing 11 for 3rd test against India, Brisbane, BGT 2024-25 – Predicted

1. Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja has been an underperformer for Australia so far, managing only 34 runs in the two tests with a highest score of 13.

The hosts will, though, back the left-handed opener who has been in a good nick since his return to the side in the 2021/22 Ashes.

2. Nathan McSweeney

After a horrific initiation to test cricket in Perth, Nathan McSweeney provided a glimpse of his talent and temperament in handling the Indian pacers impressively in the third session of day 1 in Adelaide. He scored 39 in Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, importantly, being at the crease for 109 deliveries.

McSweeney would be looking to post a landmark figure in the Brisbane, which is his home city.

3. Marnus Labuschagne

Labuschagne getting back among runs was a huge positive for Australia from the Adelaide test. The Australia No. 3 had been under immense pressure for his place in the side as he’d been in a rut this year.

He scored 64 runs off 126 balls in Adelaide and looked to be getting at his best, with his front-foot movement and positive instincts reminiscent of his heydays. A three-figure score might just be around the corner for Labuschagne; he scored a century in the 2021 Gabba test against India.

4. Steve Smith

Steve Smith is yet to get going in this series, having scored only 19 runs across three innings so far. He’s twice been dismissed by Bumrah.

Smith’s form is one box Australia would want to tick in Brisbane.

5. Travis Head

Travis Head continued his love affair with the Indian team. After smashing 89 in the second innings in Perth, the left-hander produced another stunning innings against India as he clobbered 140 runs off 141 balls in Adelaide, helping Australia finish with a 157-run first-innings lead, which proved to be decisive.

Head is currently the leading run-scorer of the BGT 2024-25. India need to find a way to dismiss Head cheaply in Gabba, where he would love to thrive on the bounce and pace.

6. Mitchell Marsh

Despite concerns around his bowling workload after the Perth test, Mitchell Marsh was retained in the XI for the Adelaide test.

He didn’t do much of note: Marsh scored nine runs and bowled four overs for 26 runs. He is expected to play in Brisbane.

7. Alex Carey (wk)

Wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey has scored 72 runs in three innings so far in BGT 2024-25. Carey is Australia’s second-leading test run-scorer in 2024.

8. Pat Cummins (C)

After the drubbing in Perth, where he wasn’t at his best with the ball as well, Pat Cummins earned the plaudits in Adelaide, for his captaincy and bowling.

He took seven wickets in the match, including a five-for in India’s second innings and silenced the critics who had popped up after the Perth defeat.

9. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc, who was called out for “bowling too slow” by Yashasvi Jaiswal, turned on the heat in Adelaide. After dismissing Jaiswal on the first ball of the match, the left-arm speedster recorded his career best test innings figures of 6/48, which bundled India out for only 180.

In India’s second innings, he produced a jaffa to castle Shubman Gill. Starc has 11 wickets in two tests so far in the BGT 2024-25.

10. Nathan Lyon

Lyon didn’t have much work to do in Adelaide. He got to bowl only one over across India’s two innings. In Perth, he picked up two wickets.

During India’s epic chase in the 2021 Gabba test, Lyon had failed to close out the fourth innings for Australia. A much experienced spinner now, Lyon would be itching to do well in the upcoming third test.

11. Josh Hazlewood

Part of Australia’s first-choice pace attack at home, Josh Hazlewood played in Perth, but missed the Adelaide test due to a mild side strain. He is expected to return in the third test. After the second test, Cummins said about Hazlewood’s recovery: “It’s going to plan so far. Fairly confident he’ll be right for Brisbane. We’ll know more in the next couple of days.“

Scott Boland will unfortunately miss out despite being superb in Adelaide, where he snared five wickets, including Jaiswal and Kohli in India’s second innings.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.