India and Australia are both set to have big changes in their playing 11 for the fifth and final Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which starts on Friday. Australia are leading the five-match series 2-1 and Indians need to win the SCG Test to retain the BGT.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir walked out to face the media on the eve of the SCG Test on Friday. Gambhir refused to reveal the final playing 11 of the Indian side even when he was asked whether captain Rohit Sharma will be available for the game.
“We will take Playing XI call after looking at pitch tomorrow,” Gambhir said when asked if Rohit Sharma will be part of team for SCG Test.
Gambhir, however, confirmed that pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the final Test due to a stiff back. Bengal and Lucknow Super Giants pacer Akash had taken five wickets from two Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne so far. He was a bit unlucky to not get more as multiple catches were dropped off his bowling during the two games.
“Akash Deep is out with back issue,” India coach Gautam Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference in Sydney.
Gambhir said the playing XI would be decided after taking a look at the pitch. The 28-year-old right-arm pacer bowled a total of 87.5 overs across two Test matches and his niggle could be a result of the heavier than usual workload he has endured.
Either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna could make it to the eleven in place of Akash.
AKASHDEEP RULED OUT OF THE SYDNEY TEST MATCH…!!! pic.twitter.com/GRsmF4jyT8
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 2, 2025
Pat Cummins-led Australia have also made a big change for the crucial fifth Test at the SCG. Out-of-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been dropped and will be replaced by debutant Beau Webster.
The Tasmanian youngster has been viewed as a better option at No. 6 in the order in place of Marsh. Webster has averaged 57.10 in first-class cricket since March 2022, while also picking up 81 wickets at 31.70.
“Mitchy obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets this series,” Cummins told reporters on Thursday. “So we felt like it was time for a freshen up and Beau’s been great.
“It’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but feel like now it’s a good week for Beau to get a chance,” Cummins added.
Meanwhile, if Rohit Sharma is dropped for the SCG Test, Shubman Gill could return to the playing 11 with KL Rahul returning to the opening slot along with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill/Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
