India are all set to take on Australia in the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series in Indore starting Wednesday. The hosts are leading the ongoing series 2-0 after two Tests, played at Nagpur and Delhi. As such, India have completed the first target of the series – retaining the BGT. They’ll now look to complete the series win with a final push in Indore. The final game of the series will be played at Ahmedabad.
As such, there has been a lot of talk about the pitches throughout the series, especially before the first test in Nagpur. Australia’s interim captain, Steve Smith has now been spotted in Indore checking the pitch during a practice session. Notably, Smith will be taking over as the captain of Australia filling in for the regular captain Pat Cummins who had to fly back home to attend to his sick mother.
India can qualify for the final of the Test Championship by winning the next Test
The upcoming Test against Australia would be particularly important for India. The ongoing BGT series is India’s last chance to qualify for the final of the Test Championships to be played at the Oval between 18 and 23 June, 2023. They can qualify if they beat the Aussies 3-0 or 3-1 at least. As such, the Indore Test could be the one to cement their chances. Moreover, India are also on the hunt for a third-straight Test series win against the men from down under, having won the last two BGT Test series in Australia.
Earlier, India head coach Rahul Dravid was spotted bowling to Shubman Gill in the nets during a practice session in Indore. It is predicted that the youngster will replace the recently married KL Rahul in India’s XI for the next test. Rahul has been struggling with his form in the longest format of the game with scores of 20, 17 and 1 in the three innings of the ongoing series against Australia so far.
Here’s how fans reacted to Steve Smith inspecting the pitch:
Pitch check karunga din bhar
Runs banauga ______..— Frosty?? (@redball2004) February 28, 2023
All these to get owned by Goat Jadeja
— NithisH ? (@staan_Mukesh) February 28, 2023
Kabhi run bhi bana liya karo!
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) February 28, 2023
— Himanshu (@himanshu_sa_) February 28, 2023
The only correct sweeping technique for the Aussies pic.twitter.com/wP9JQdrVox
— Kiran Tony (@s_kirantony) February 28, 2023
— Innocent Child (@bholaladkaa) February 28, 2023
Why you all obsessed by pitch pitch pitch don't have news so stop posting useless news rohit checking pitch dravid checking pitch Smith checking pitch what else they do that's there job this what they do before every match this not happening first time. Please stop this nonsense
— Cricturn (@cricturn) February 28, 2023
He must be watering those grasses with tears.
— Ashish Pradhan????????? (@DrAshishPradhan) February 28, 2023
