Cricket: Returning Rohit Sharma replaces struggling Mayank Agarwal as India eye test series lead over Australia

A fit-again Rohit Sharma will replace struggling opener Mayank Agarwal and fast bowler Navdeep Saini will make his test debut for India in the third test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

Rohit returns after recovering from a hamstring injury which kept him out of the limited-overs series in Australia, as well as the first two tests in Adelaide and Melbourne.

The 33-year-old from Mumbai will partner Shubman Gill at the top after Agarwal's meagre aggregate of 31 runs in four innings made his place in the playing XI untenable.

"We all are really excited to have him (Rohit) back," said Ajinkya Rahane.

"His experience at the highest level matters a lot.

"He had seven-eight (practice) sessions. He came to Melbourne and when our test match got over, he started his practice straightaway. He's been batting really well."

Rohit will also be deputy to stand-in skipper Rahane.

India have also lost the services of frontline pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav through injuries since levelling the series 1-1 in Melbourne.

Saini's debut means Jasprit Bumrah will lead an inexperienced three-pronged pace attack which also includes second-test debutant Mohammed Siraj.

India's third test XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj.

Reuters