The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 at Adelaide turned into a nightmarish scenario for India, with the pink ball under the floodlights proving to be their undoing. Tasked with chasing a modest 180, India crumbled, managing just 175 in their second innings, setting Australia a mere 19 runs to win. This debacle highlighted significant issues in India’s batting and overall strategy, especially under the pressure of the day-night format. As the series moves to the Gabba, a venue with its own historical significance for both teams, the spotlight is on how India can recover, adapt, and counter the Australian challenge.
Cheteshwar Pujara, a veteran of many a battle against Australia, has shared his thoughts on how India should approach the third Test. His primary concern seems to be bolstering the batting lineup, which was exposed in Adelaide. “I feel only one change might happen. Since the batting wasn’t good, Washington Sundar can come in place of Ashwin,” Pujara said on Star Sports. This proposed swap reflects Pujara’s strategy to inject more batting depth into the team, especially considering Sundar’s capability with the bat in Test conditions.
Pujara also stood firm on supporting Harshit Rana despite his less than stellar performance in Adelaide. “Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion, no. You backed him, and he performed well in the first match. He is a good bowler. You cannot drop him just because one match went bad. Probably the only change for me would be Sundar for Ashwin if the team feels the batting lineup needs strengthening,” Pujara added. This stance underscores the importance of backing players through tough phases, especially when they have shown promise earlier in the series.
Pujara’s envisioned Playing XI for the Gabba Test demonstrates a blend of experience, youth, and adaptability:
KL Rahul – A steady hand at the top, crucial for surviving the new ball.
Yashasvi Jaiswal – His aggressive style could set the tone early on.
Shubman Gill – Consistency and class in the middle order.
Virat Kohli – The backbone of the batting line-up, looking for redemption.
Rishabh Pant (wk) – Known for his match-winning knocks under pressure.
Rohit Sharma (c) – Leadership and a crucial middle-order presence.
Nitish Kumar Reddy – Adds depth with his all-round capabilities.
Washington Sundar – Offers batting strength and off-spin as per Pujara’s tactical choice.
Jasprit Bumrah – The spearhead of the bowling attack.
Harshit Rana – Given another chance to prove his mettle in Australian conditions.
Mohammed Siraj – Consistent performer with both new and old ball.
In conclusion, Pujara’s selection for the Gabba Test reflects a strategy focused on resilience and balance, addressing the batting vulnerabilities exposed in Adelaide while maintaining faith in the bowling department. With the series hanging in the balance, this lineup could be India’s formula for a comeback, emphasizing adaptability, experience, and the potential of young talent. The Gabba, with its history of providing tough challenges, will test this strategy, but under Pujara’s guidance, India might just find the right mix to turn the tide in this crucial match.
