Team India are battling injuries and the playing XI may see some fresh faces in Brisbane.
According to a TOI report, the visitors don’t want to take any chances with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is 50% fit while a final call on veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been struggling with back spasms, will be taken on the eve of the fourth Test, starting January 15.
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If Ashwin makes it to the playing XI, the Indian team will reportedly walk into the game with six batsmen and five bowlers, including two spinning all-rounders.
The report published in TOI also suggests that Washington Sundar, who was asked to stay back in Australia after the limited-overs fixtures, stands a huge chance of making his Test debut at the Gabba because of his all-round abilities.
Mayank Agarwal, who was likely to replace the injured Hanuma Vihari for Brisbane Test, also coped a blow in the nets on Monday (January 11) and is being observed.
If Agarwal gets ruled out, the 21-year-old Prithvi Shaw will find himself back in the scheme of things but in the middle-order on this occasion.
Coming to the fast bowling department, Mohammed Siraj will now lead the contingent alongside Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur in Brisbane.
Team India’s likely playing XI for the fourth Test:
Shubhman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Mayank Agarwal /Prithvi Shaw, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur.
(With TOI inputs)