AUS Vs IND, 3rd Test: Star Pacer Returns From Injury As Australia Announce Playing XI

AUS Vs IND, 3rd Test: Australia receive a huge boost ahead of Brisbane Test, as star pacer returns to playing XI in time. Read below.

Josh Hazlewood will be replacing Scott Boland in the Playing XI for Gabba Test

Source : @X/cricket_x_Ashi

AUS Vs IND, 3rd Test: Cricket Australia have announced their Playing XI for the third Test against India, as Josh Hazlewood makes his return from the injury. The legendary pacer will be replacing Scott Boland, who was impressive in the Adelaide Day-Night Pink-Ball Test victory against India, where the home side humiliated them via a 10-wicket win.

Josh Hazlewood's inclusion will be a big boost for Australia, as the series is currently levelled 1-1. India dominated Australia in the Perth Test after a dismal start, as second innings brilliance from Yashasvi Jaiswal took away the match from Australia.

However, the hosts bounced back in the second Test by handing India a 10-wicket defeat, and have now dented Rohit Sharma's hopes of making into their third consecutive WTC final, as one more defeat for them will hand the likes of South Africa and Sri Lanka a big advantage.

The third Test starts on December 14, at The Gabba in Brisbane.

JUST IN: Josh Hazlewood is back for the Gabba Test! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ikV3L6JAU6

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 13, 2024

"Josh comes back in ... had no hiccups. Had a really good bowl yesterday, had another good bowl in Adelaide a few days previous. Him and the medical team are super confident," said Pat Cummins to reporters in Brisbane, as reported by ICC.

"It's tough, he (Boland) was fantastic in Adelaide. He's unfortunately spent a fair bit of time on the bench over the past 18 months. And whenever he's played, he's been fantastic. A shame for Scotty, but still a fair bit to play out this series. I would be surprised if he doesn't get another crack at some point," he added.

Australia's Playing XI for Third Test:

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.