Akash Deep dents Indian Cricket Team before Sydney Test vs Australia; Rishabh Pant's fate sealed

India's lineup for the New Year’s Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) might see a dramatic shake-up as they gear up for a do-or-die battle to save the ongoing five-match Test series and retain the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

With pressure mounting, it is being said that two changes are on the horizon for the playing XI. Akash Deep and Rishabh Pant are two players who are all set to lose their places for the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia in Sydney.

Rishabh Pant and Akash Deep set to miss out in India's must-win SCG Test

After Australia thrashed India by 184 runs in the Boxing Day Test to take a 2-1 lead in the ongoing Test series, all eyes are on the Indian cricket team management's bold calls to reignite their campaign and save proud Down Under, having won back-to-back BGT titles in their last outings.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli walk free while Gautam Gambhir & Co. blast Rishabh Pant after MCG disaster

Well, ahead of the New Year’s Test at the SCG, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that the pacer Akash Deep is ruled out of the Sydney Test against Australia due to an injury. Akash Deep suffered a back injury, and that ruled him out of the New Year’s Test at the SCG.

Gautam Gambhir said at the press conference in Sydney: “Akashdeep is out; he has an injury.”

Following the latest development, the Indian cricket team is expected to field four seamers against Australia in the final Test in Sydney, keeping in mind Jasprit Bumrah's. Harshit Rana is likely to step in for the injured Akash, while a tough call might see either Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja making way for Prasidh Krishna in India’s XI for the SCG showdown.

Rishabh Pant likely to be dropped as Dhruv Jurel set for New Year's Test

Meanwhile, an Indian Express report suggests that India head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma are having deep discussions about Rishabh Pant's place in the playing XI. Pant's dismissals in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG have sparked widespread criticism, including Sunil Gavaskar’s viral "Stupid, stupid, stupid" rant during commentary.

With pressure mounting, the team management is likely to force Rishabh Pant to sit out of the New Year’s Test against Australia. If the news is to be believed, Dhruv Jurel is likely to get an opportunity to prove himself in Sydney, as it is almost certain that Pant will be dropped for the final Test at the SCG.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir punishes Rohit Sharma; to be dropped from Sydney Test after dressing room leaks

Dhruv Jurel has so far only featured in the first Test match on the Australia tour in Perth, where he scored 11 and 1. Speaking about Rishabh Pant, the Indian team and fans were hoping for a turnaround from the left-handed batter during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.

Rishabh Pant struggling to deliver Down Under

Pant, who is known for his unforgettable heroics in the 2020/21 Australia tour, was expected to be the game-changer this time too, but the wicketkeeper-batter has had a disappointing run so far, scoring only 154 runs in seven innings at an average of 22, with no half-centuries to his name.