IND vs AUS Match Preview- 3rd Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25

Australia and India will be taking on each other in the third IND vs AUS Test of the ongoing five-match series from Saturday (December 14). The game is scheduled to be played at the Gabba, Brisbane.

With Australia winning the second IND vs AUS Test, the series is currently locked at 1-1. After suffering a crushing 295-run loss in the first Test, the hosts won the second Test by 10 wickets to draw level in the series.

Batting first, India were all out for just 180 runs in the first innings. Australia scored 337 runs in reply thanks to a brilliant century from Travis Head. In the second innings, India were bowled out for only 175 runs.

Set a target of 19 runs, the home side crossed the finishing line with utmost ease. With both the teams now set for the third Test, here is the preview for the third IND vs AUS Test.

IND vs AUS Match Preview- 3rd Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25:

IND vs AUS 3rd Test Date and Venue:

The 3rd Test between India and Australia will be starting on Saturday (December 14) at the Gabba, Brisbane. Here are the session timings for the India vs Australia 3rd Test:

• First Session: 5:50 am - 7:50 am IST (10:20 am - 12:20 pm local time)
• Lunch: 7:50 am - 8:30 am IST (12:20 pm - 1 pm local time)
• Second Session: 8:30 am - 10:30 am IST (1 pm - 3 pm local time)
• Tea: 10:30 am - 10:50 am IST (3 pm - 3:20 pm local time)
• Third Session: 10:50 am - 12:50 pm IST (3:20 pm - 5:20 pm local time)

Squads:

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep

Australia:

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott

IND vs AUS Key Battles

Mitchell Starc vs Yashasvi Jaiswal:

This is the one battle that the fans are eagerly waiting for. In the first Test, Jaiswal had sledged Starc, taking a dig at his pace during his 161-run knock. Later in the second Test, Starc dismissed Jaiswal for a duck on the very first ball of the game.

The stage is now set for a fascinating battle between Australia's aging pace spearhead and India's rising batting star. Starc vs Jaiswal battle could also set the platform for the remainder of the Test. A good start from Jaiswal would put India on the front foot while a good start from Starc will take Australia ahead.

Pat Cummins vs Virat Kohli:

The onus will be on Virat Kohli to lead India's charge with the bat in the middle overs. The former India skipper scored a century in the first Test and played a huge role in the team's win. He failed to get going in the second Test and India paid a big price.

So while India will be relying on Kohli, Australia will be hoping that their captain Pat Cummins keep the star batsman silent. Cummins has dismissed Kohli five times in Tests so far and would be eyeing more success.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Travis Head:

This is the one battle that could decide the course of the game. While Jasprit Bumrah starred in India's stunning victory in the first Test, Travis Head stole the show in the second Test. The Australia star scored a stunning counterattacking century to singlehandedly put India on the back foot.

In the first Test, Bumrah had dismissed a well-set Head for 89 runs in the second innings but failed to replicate his success in the second Test. India will be hoping that Bumrah gets the better of Head in the upcoming Test.

IND vs AUS Key Players

IND - Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah will be the key players for India.

AUS - Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins will be the key players for Australia.

IND vs AUS Weather And Pitch Report:

The weather report is not promising ahead of the third IND vs AUS Test. Thunderstorms and overcast conditions are expected throughout the 3rd Test. There is also a good chance that the start of the game gets delayed due to rain and a wet outfield.

As far as the pitch is concerned, it will offer ample pace and bounce. The overcast conditions will further help the bowlers and will make lives difficult for the batters.

Conclusion:

A lot will be at stake when India and Australia take the field on Saturday for the third Test. Both teams are eyeing a place in the World Test Championship final and a victory in the upcoming Test will be a huge boost for either of them.

On the other hand, a loss could very well derail their campaign. With so much at stake, the fans can expect another classic Test between these two formidable opponents.