Brisbane, Dec 12: India’s preparations for the crucial third Test received a significant boost as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bowled for 30 minutes in the nets without any discomfort, while captain Rohit Sharma hinted at a possible return to the top of the batting order.
After suffering a minor groin strain during the Adelaide Test, Bumrah’s availability for the Brisbane clash now looks promising. The ace pacer joined his teammates in a full warm-up session on Thursday before bowling a sustained spell in the nets, his first since the end of the Adelaide Test on Sunday.
Bumrah has been the cornerstone of India’s bowling attack this summer, delivering stellar performances across the series. The 31-year-old has claimed 12 wickets at an astonishing average of 11.25, troubling Australia’s top order consistently. Notably, he has dismissed Nathan McSweeney three times while also accounting for Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja twice each.
India, currently locked 1-1 in the five-Test series, will rely heavily on Bumrah to spearhead their pace attack on a Gabba pitch historically known to favour fast bowlers. His fitness will be pivotal as the tourists look to take the lead in the series.
Sharma Prepares to Open
Meanwhile, skipper Rohit Sharma provided signs of a potential role shift as he faced the new ball during an extended net session on Thursday. Sharma, who batted at No. 6 in the Adelaide Test, spent considerable time in slips training before stepping into the nets. He replaced opener KL Rahul in the new-ball practice and faced Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep in a rigorous batting stint.
This move comes as Sharma’s recent form has been a concern. The captain managed scores of just 3 and 6 in the Adelaide Test, with only two innings over 20 in his last 12 outings. India’s think tank might see him opening the innings as a way to regain rhythm and take on the Australian bowlers early.
KL Rahul also returned to the nets later in the session, batting alongside Virat Kohli against a relatively newer ball, suggesting that the final call on India’s batting order is yet to be made.
Bowling and Selection Dilemmas
India also faces selection headaches regarding their bowling unit. Harshit Rana’s place in the XI remains under scrutiny, with Akash Deep pushing for a debut at the Gabba. The team management will weigh their options carefully, particularly given the traditionally pace-friendly conditions in Brisbane.The spin department presents another conundrum. Ravichandran Ashwin, who played in Adelaide, could make way for either Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja, depending on the conditions and India’s combination strategy.
Adding to the mix, Mohammed Shami, who has been nursing an ankle injury since his domestic cricket comeback, is yet to rejoin the squad. (Agencies)
