Australia vs India 2018-19: India's predicted XI for the Boxing Day Test

Ishant Sharma

Ishant, Shami, and Bumrah will form the core of the Indian bowling in the third Test.

Ishant Sharma, barring a few no-balls, has been brilliant in the series so far. The lanky bowler has kept the Australian batsmen on their toes and has made them earn each run. With decent pace and bounce - thanks to his height - Ishant has succeeded in doing his bit while assisting the other bowlers as well. Thus, the Delhi paceman will look to continue the same form in the third Test as well.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami toiled hard in the first innings of the second Test but failed to attract any customers as he went wicket-less despite bowling some stringent lines. Nonetheless, Shami covered that up in the second innings as he scalped six wickets while creating havoc among the Australian batsmen. The hit-the-deck bowler will be hoping to replicate the same in the Melbourne Test while helping India to go 2-1 up in the series.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the best bowlers, if not the best, in the series so far. He has kept it tight for the Australian batsmen while bowling some uncomfortable lines. In the second Test, Bumrah put the batsmen in enigma more often than not. Bumrah scalped two and three wickets in the first and the second innings respectively. The Gujarati bowler will be looking forward to maintaining the excellent form with an attempt to put India in a commanding position in the third Test.