Team India is set to face Australia in the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Thursday (December 7). As the four-match Test series at present stands tied at 1-1, the cricket buffs have got their eyes set on the probable playing squad. ALSO READ | Rohit Sharma, 4 Other Indian Cricketers Test Negative For Covid, Will Fly To Sydney For Third Test

While the stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who guided the Indians to a famous win in the Boxing Day Test, will once again try to inspire the team in the absence of Virat Kohli, the team management is weighing its options for the third pacer's slot with Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini.

A few days back, Mumbai seamer and useful lower-order batsman Shardul Thakur was considered a favourite but some senior players feel that India's fastest bowler by a distance, could be used to unsettle the wobbly Australian batting line-up with his raw pace.

Considering the pace and ability to reverse the old ball, Saine is expected to be prefered in the  Thursdasy squad. If the conditions are overcast and there is bit more moisture on the strip, then Thakur could prove to be a handful choice for the tourist camp.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Rohit Sharma is certain to replace Mayank Agarwal at the top of the order against the hosting Aussies.

ALSO READ | India Vs Australia Test Series: KL Rahul Ruled Out Of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Due To Wrist Injury, Returns Home

It is pertinent to mention that KL Rahul was on Tuesday ruled out of the remaining two Tests against Australia after sustaining a wrist injury during training in Melbourne on Saturday. The injury also casts shadows on his availability for the four-match home Test series against England, which begins February 5.

India Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur/Navdeep Saini.