ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma to miss series decider as India confirm XI in Sydney
Despite the early flashpoints in the middle, most of the attention of Sydney’s Friday morning has been centred around India’s camp, with confirmation at the toss of Rohit Sharma’s omission from India’s XI in the quest to level the series, and claim the 12 World Test Championship points to keep their slim hopes of a Lord’s final alive.
It was Jasprit Bumrah in the captain’s blazer, electing to bat after winning the toss in spite of both overcast skies and a Sydney wicket a little greener in colour than previous Tests at the venue.
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Bumrah stated Sharma had “opted” to be rested for the Test and was replaced by Shubman Gill, while Akash Deep (back) was replaced by Prasidh Krishna in the XI.
Australia had confirmed their XI a day before play, with Webster handed national Test cap 469.
Australia XI: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
