Team India Likely To Release Their Playing XI For The Brisbane Test Only At The Toss: Report

With so many injuries grappling Team India, the management has had to dig deep in their reserves ahead of the series decider in Brisbane, and hence they will not be announcing the playing 11 on the eve of the Test, which has been the norm so far in the series.

India will be without the services of Hanuma Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja for the final Test. While Vihari suffered a second-grade hamstring tear, Ravindra Jadeja copped a nasty blow on his thumb courtesy a vicious bumper by Mitchell Starc in the first innings.

While Vihari is set to be replaced by Mayank Agarwal (who is also coming off an injury), Tamil Nadu cricketer Washington Sundar could make his Test debut as a like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.

However, what has compounded India’s issues is injury concerns to pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Bumrah was unofficially ruled out of the series decider in Brisbane due to abdominal strain. However, reports suggest that the team management is keen to play even a half-fit Bumrah and the uncertainty over his availability will only be clear at the toss.
In case Bumrah does not play, Mumbai fast bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018, will replace him.

As far as ace-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is concerned, the champion bowler pulled off one of the great resistance with the bat on the final day in Sydney amid severe back spasm and a final call on his availability for the Gabba Test will be taken on match day itself.

In case Ashwin is ruled out, left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will most probably be blooded in the playing 11.

Meanwhile, Australia have already named their playing 11 for the 4th Test in Brisbane. Young opener Will Pucovski, who made his Test debut in Sydney, failed to recover from the shoulder injury he suffered while fielding on the final day and has been replaced by Marcus Harris.

Also Read: If Jasprit Bumrah Can Play, He Will Play The Final Test: Vikram Rathour