India will now face Australia in the all important 3rd test at Melbourne cricket ground in Melbourne with the series hanging in equal favours. Australia will be all pumped up after a comprehensive victory in the 2nd test and will eye to take the lead in Melbourne whereas Indian team will be hoping for best of starts from the openers and addition of Hardik Pandya doing wonders for the visitors.
With the current form of Indian players, changes look certain for the 3rd test especially at the top order and lower middle order. Former India great Anil Kumble has came up with his playing XI for the third test.
Assuming that the Melbourne wicket will be a dry one, the former coach turned commentator said that the Indian team should play with two specialist spinners- Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Mayank Agarwal finds a place in Kumble’s team
Kumble opted for debutant Mayank Agarwal to straight away join the mix and make his India debut in Melbourne. Interestingly he picked Hanuma Vihari to be the second opener in the team and bat with Agarwal at the top order.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will take the slots in middle order. While Rishabh Pant will keep the wickets.
The spin twins- R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be the two spinners in his team alongside the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah.
Kumble predicted playing XI for the boxing day test: Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah.
