Bouncers could be ‘plan A’ against India at Gabba, says Pat Cummins ahead of 3rd Test

As Australia prepares for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba on December 14, skipper Pat Cummins emphasized the pride associated with winning a Test match on home soil. With the series tied 1-1, the Brisbane clash is expected to be a pivotal encounter in the ongoing rivalry.

Cummins highlighted the importance of dominating in home conditions, particularly for teams aiming to secure a spot in the ICC World Test Championship. “Winning in Australia is a matter of pride. These are our home conditions, where we grew up playing. To make it to the World Test Championship, you have to win at home and pick up wins overseas when possible. We go into every home series expecting to win—that’s the standard we set for ourselves,” he said during the pre-match press conference.

Australia heads into the match after recovering from a heavy 295-run defeat in Perth, where standout performances from India’s Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the hosts. However, Cummins’ team bounced back with a strong showing in Adelaide, setting the stage for a thrilling contest at the Gabba.

Reflecting on the venue’s history, Cummins acknowledged the challenge posed by India. The Gabba, once considered Australia’s fortress, witnessed its first Test loss in over 32 years during the 2020-21 series when an inexperienced Indian side pulled off a historic victory.

Also See: IND vs AUS Series | IND vs AUS Schedule

Cummins also discussed his team’s bowling strategies, including the possibility of employing short-pitched deliveries against Indian batters, depending on the conditions. “Bouncers worked well in Adelaide. It’s always a Plan B, but if it proves effective, it could become Plan A for certain batters,” he noted.

The captain praised Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh for their aggressive batting approaches. “Trav and Mitch are natural shot-makers, and that’s their strength. Everyone has their own method, especially here at the Gabba, where conditions can change from one day to the next. It’s crucial to play to your strengths, and Trav showed that in the last match,” Cummins added.