The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (January 6) confirmed Team India’s playing XI for the third Test, scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 7.

As expected, Mayank Agarwal has been dropped from the playing XI after his poor showing in the first two Tests at Adelaide and Melbourne, with Rohit Sharma set to take his place in the line-up.

Rohit, who arrived in Australia later last month after recovering from the injury, has also been named vice-captain of the side.

Shubman Gill, who impressed one and all with his strokeplay in India’s 8-wicket victory at MCG, has retained his place in the playing XI as an opener.

 Cheteshwar Pujara will bat at No. 3 while the middle-order is comprised of skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

Coming to the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are part of the side as premier spinners. Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj while Navdeep Saini is set to make his Test debut at SCG in place of the injured Umesh Yadav.

Team India’s playing XI for the third Test:

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini