Ind vs Aus: Battling injuries, Natarajan and Washington Sundar debuts
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Brisbane, Jan 14: As Team India is battling throughout the Test series due to the injuries, it is geared up for the most-anticipated 4th and the final Test match here at the Gabba. Australia has won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the fourth Test here at the Gabba on Friday.
The visitors have made four changes to their playing XI. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari and Jasprit Bumrah are out. Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, Mayank Agarwal and Washington Sundar are in for the side. Tamil Nadu duo of spinner Sundar and pacer Natarajan are making their Test debuts while Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is playing his landmark 100th Test. However, India’s injury woes deepened as pacer Navdeep Saini came off the field after lunch with an apparent groin issue.
"We had to make changes, but it's an opportunity for others. Looking forward to start well. Both the debutants play the shorter formats, just want them to enjoy the game. Ashwin, Bumrah, Jadeja, Vihari are out. Thakur, Mayank, Natarajan and Sundar are playing. This is a big rivalry for us. We don't want to think too far ahead, just want to start well," India's stand-in skipper said at the toss.
Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur bagged a wicket each to remove openers early but the Australian duo - Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne - looked steady before Sundar dismissed Smith while Labuschagne is nearing the century.
The four-match series is currently levelled at 1-1 after the famous draw at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine(w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant(w), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan