Jasprit Bumrah’s chances of playing in the third Test have firmed, as India also weigh up whether to return captain Rohit Sharma to the top of the order.
After battling a minor groin injury in Adelaide, Bumrah completed a full warm up with his Indian teammates on the field Thursday before bowling in their main session.
The tourists’ strike weapon got through around 30 minutes of bowling in the nets, his first spell since the end of the Adelaide Test on Sunday.
The 31-year-old has been India’s best bowler by far this summer, with his performances in Perth the best of any touring quick in Australia in decades.
He has taken 12 wickets at 11.25 for the series, claiming Nathan McSweeney’s scalp three times, as well as Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja twice each.
Even still, McSweeney said this week he hoped to face Bumrah in Brisbane.
“It’s a weird one. If you want to win … you want to do it with the best guys,” the Australian opener said.
“It’s better for the crowds and better for the game of cricket.
“Hopefully he is charging in and putting on a good show for the crowds.”
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Bumrah’s fitness looms as one of several key issues for India ahead of the first day on Saturday, with the five-Test series locked at 1-1.
Out-of-form captain Sharma spent time facing the new ball in the nets on Thursday, after batting at No.6 in Adelaide.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal initially started in the nets while Sharma completed slips training before replacing Rahul in the nets.
Rohit Sharma hits out at Rajkot. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
He faced all of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep with the new ball, something he did not do in the lead up to the second Test in Adelaide.
Rahul then returned to the nets later in the session, facing a semi new ball alongside the likes of fellow middle-order batter Virat Kohli.
Sharma made scores of 3 and 6 in India’s 10-wicket loss in Adelaide, and has gone above 20 just twice in his past 12 Test innings.
Beyond Sharma, India must decide whether to stick with Harshit Rana or bring in fellow quick Akash for the Gabba.
The tourists will also likely make a call on whether to stick with Ravichandran Ashwin or go with Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja as the spinner.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is yet to join India after returning from a near year-long absence with an ankle injury in domestic cricket.
© AAP