India made significant changes to its playing XI for the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, on December 14, 2023. Captain Rohit Sharma, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first, citing the overcast conditions and some grass on the pitch as key factors for his decision.
With the series tied at 1-1, following India's emphatic win by 295 runs at Perth and Australia's subsequent triumph by 10 wickets at Adelaide, the stakes were high for both teams. The choice to bowl first aimed to exploit the moisture and offer some assistance to the bowlers initially.
Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep were brought in as replacements for R Ashwin and Harshit Rana, respectively. Jadeja, who is regarded as one of India's most dependable spin-bowling all-rounders, returned after having been sidelined for the first two Tests. Akash Deep, making his first Test appearance outside India, replaced Rana, who was lackluster at Adelaide, conceding 86 runs without taking any wickets.
Reflecting on the conditions, Rohit said, "Little bit overcast and little bit of grass, looks soft as well, want to make best use of the conditions." His strategy was clear: capitalize on the weather and pitch to secure early breakthroughs.
Jadeja's inclusion marked the third different spinner used by India in their lineup throughout the series. Starting with Washington Sundar, followed by Ashwin and now Jadeja, the constant change had raised some eyebrows. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar acknowledged the surprise expressed by many. "A bit surprised they started with an off-spinner. Jadeja has been preferred. This has been the way to go," he stated during the pre-match analysis.
Meanwhile, Deep Dasgupta, another former cricketer, noted, "Three tests, three spinners, that's bit of a surprise. But it's good to see Akash Deep back in the XI. Jadeja has been a match-winner for a long time," emphasizing Jadeja's assets as both a bowler and batsman.
On the Australian side, Josh Hazlewood made his return after recovering from injury, replacing Scott Boland. This marked another strategic shift as Australia sought to regain momentum. The Australian XI featured Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head, along with seasoned bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Initial play saw Australia negotiating the early overs, with Khawaja and McSweeney at the crease, but their innings was interrupted by drizzle. The weather forecast indicated cloudy skies and the likelihood of intermittent rain throughout the day, creating uncertainty for both teams.
The early signs on the pitch suggested it might aid the bowlers. India’s pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, began to find some swing and seam movement. This aspect of the game was particularly intriguing, as it suggested India had chosen the right conditions at the right time to bowl first.
Despite the rain halting play after just a handful of overs, excitement remained palpable among players and spectators alike. After dealing with poor performances, India hoped the changes would reinvigorate their momentum after the low of the previous match. All eyes were on the bowlers to claim early wickets and shift the balance firmly in India's favor.
With both teams fighting for supremacy and the conditions at the Gabba presenting challenges, this third Test promises to be another enthralling chapter of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
