IND vs AUS: Why India chose Jadeja and Akash Deep over Ashwin and Harshit Rana

Rain interrupted the first session of the third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba, Brisbane multiple times the hosts could only reach 28/0 when Lunch was taken on Day 1. The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently tied 1-1 after India’s 295 win in Perth and Australia’s 10-wicket victory at Adelaide.

Usman Khawaja (19*) and Nathan McSweeney (4*) safely negotiated 13.2 overs before rain interrupted the session again and Lunch was taken.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl on a green pitch and under overcast conditions as the Indian cricket team made two changes for the third Test. Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep were called up for Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana. While many expected Washington Sundar to return, Team India management opted for the experienced Jadeja.

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“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.” Rohit said at the toss. “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.”

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Why India picked Jadeja and Akash Deep over Ashwin and Rana?

One of the major reasons is Jadeja’s superior record in Australia over Ashwin. Jadeja has taken 14 wickets in five Tests in Australia at an average of 21.78 while Ashwin has 40 wickets at an average of 42.42 from 11 matches.

Ashwin has scored over 400 runs but they have come at an average of 22.94 while Jadeja’s 175 runs have come at 43.75.

With Jadeja, India are hoping to strengthen their lower-order batting and wicket-taking abilities.

“He (Jadeja) has always been the first choice spinner in overseas conditions and that’s where India has won a lot of overseas Test matches in recent times, and I was a little bit surprised that, maybe the team management would have got swayed away by the performances of Washington Sundar in the previous Test series against New Zealand, but those conditions were totally different. I’m glad that they resorted to someone like a Jadeja, who may not have to do a lot of work in the first innings. His record as a batter also helps the team get useful runs in the lower order of the innings as well, which has been significant in helping one win overseas matches,” Bangar said in commentary.

Harsshit was expensive at Adelaide, taking no wickets for 86 runs in one innings. With Akash Deep, India have gone for an experienced bowler who will give better control.

IND vs AUS 3rd Test playing 11s

Australia made only one change that was announced earlier. Pace Josh Hazlewood has recovered from an injury and replaced Scott Boland.

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