3 things India need to do right to beat Australia in the 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test ft. Rohit Sharma in the middle order

The third Test between India and Australia will take place on Saturday, December 14. The Gabba in Brisbane will host this enticing encounter.

In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma and key batter Shubman Gill, the visitors pulled off an incredible win in the opening Test in Perth. However, the Aussies roared back in the second Test in Adelaide to level the scores.

With the win, Australia strengthened their case to be in the final of the World Test Championship. India, meanwhile, need to find a way to pull ahead in the series once again if they are to compete with the Aussies and South Africa.

India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal.

On that note, here are three things India need to do right to beat Australia in the third Test.

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#3 India must find a way to make Mitchell Marsh bowl

Australia Test Squad Training Session - Source: Getty

Australia don't have many weak links in the bowling department. Pat Cummins found form in Adelaide, while Mitchell Starc has been quite impressive in the series. Josh Hazlewood is expected to return for the Brisbane Test, and Nathan Lyon is as dependable as ever.

However, if there's one thing the Aussies are short of, it's a fourth seamer. Cameron Green's injury-enforced absence has meant that the onus has fallen on Mitchell Marsh, whose body perhaps isn't allowing him to take up that role.

India need to ensure they find a way to make Marsh bowl at the Gabba. Playing out long spells of Cummins and Hazlewood could be a necessity for the visitors, not just with the context of the match in mind but that of the series as well.

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#2 Rohit Sharma continuing in the middle order seems ideal

Australia v India - Men's 2nd Test Match: Day 3 - Source: Getty

With Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul batting well at the top of the order in Perth, Rohit Sharma slotted into the middle order in Adelaide. Certain reports suggest that the skipper could return to his usual position in the third Test, but that might not be the best idea.

Despite their failures in the previous Test, Jaiswal and Rahul are more likely to succeed at the top of the order than Rohit, who has been out of his depth against quality seam movement lately. The experienced right-hander doesn't have a great record outside India, and his inability to counter lateral movement from the opposition pacers is a big factor.

Rohit continuing in the middle order could benefit all parties involved.

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#1 The visitors should bring Washington Sundar back

Australia v India - Men's 1st Test Match: Day 4 - Source: Getty

Ravichandran Ashwin featured in the Adelaide Test, replacing Washington Sundar. It might be time for India to go back to their younger off-spinner, who was one of the standout performers the last time the team played at the Gabba.

India need some batting solidity in the lower order, and Sundar offers more on that front. The youngster might also be a better option with the ball on the bouncy Brisbane track, given the amount of overspin he imparts.

Choosing their frontline spin-bowling all-rounder has been hard for India throughout the series, but their pick for the third Test is fairly straightforward.