‘Three spinners in three Tests’: India’s XI ‘surprises’ former cricketers as Jadeja and Akash Deep replace Ashwin and Rana

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. After abandoning the pink-ball Test despite getting off to a flying start with a record win in the first Test in Perth, India decided to usher in the changes to their playing XI, which was deemed “surprising” by the experts. India brought Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep into the eleven in place of Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana.

Both Jadeja and Akash Deep warmed up the benches in the previous two Tests as India tried different combinations. This time they have gone back to their tried and tested overseas formula and picked Jadeja as their sole spin bowling all-rounder. That obviously meant Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time, had to sit out.

There was another change in the tempo department. Harshit Rana, who impressed on his debut in Perth but was sent packing by Travis Head in Adelaide, made way for Akash Deep.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said it was initially a surprise when India didn’t field Jadeja.

“A bit surprised they started with an off-spinner. Jadeja was preferred. That was the right way,” said the former all-rounder at Star Sports.

Former cricketers react to India’s XI in Brisbane

Former India wicket-keeper and batsman Deep Dasgupta pointed out India’s constant changes in the eleven, especially in the spin bowling department. It was Washington Sundar who started in Perth before being replaced by Ashwin in the pink-ball Test. And now Jadeja has taken over the Brisbane spot.

“Three Tests, three spinners, it’s a bit of a surprise. They have not played with the same XI in the last five Tests. But it’s good to see Akash deep in the back of the eleven. Jadeja has been a match winner for a long time now,” he said.

India captain Rohit said the overcast conditions and grass on the pitch made them change their strategy and bat first.

“A bit cloudy and not much grass, looks a bit soft too, I want to make the most of the conditions. There is a lot of cricket being played, both teams have played good cricket in the last two games. A big game for us here.” “We will do what is expected of us,” he said at the draw.

The records also support Rohit’s decision. Since 2018, the Bowling First team has won five out of six Tests at the venue. India has fond memories of this soil. Three years ago they pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Test history and secured their second series win in a row in Australia.

Australia plays XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(f), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India plays 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