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New Delhi: Australia included regular skipper Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon in their team for the third Ashes Test but left out opener Usman Khawaja, leaving his international career hanging in the balance.
Cummins missed the opening two matches in Perth and Brisbane with a back injury after missing the opening while Lyon returns after being benched for the second Test.
They replace seamers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser Australia’s bowling attack and joins Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Australia won both the matches by eight wickets and lead 2-0 in the five-match series.
Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday, missed the Brisbane game after suffering from back spasms in Perth, allowing Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to open their innings.
The left handed batter remained with the squad and was available for selection but Cummins said selectors decided to persist with Head and Weatherald to give more time to the new pair following an encouraging start.
"I think the big thing that's shifted on us is probably Trav opening after that first test and how good that's looked with Weathers (Weatherald)," Cummins said at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
"We were pretty happy with that batting line-up and it didn't feel like it needed to change, the middle order."
Cummins insisted the 85-Test Khawaja hasn’t been discarded as he has a batting average of 43.56 but has not scored a fifty since 232 against Sri Lanka last January.
"I think the selectors have been quite adamant we’re picking a side each week. It doesn’t mean it has to be the same side every week," Cummins said.
"One of Ussie's great strengths is he’s scored runs at the top and he’s scored runs in the middle. If we didn't think he'd be good enough to come straight back in then he wouldn't be here in the squad with us.
"So, absolutely I can see a path back at some point if needed."
Josh Inglish will bat at number seven, having been drafted in the middle order after Head was moved up the batting order.
The hosts need only a draw in Adelaide to retain the urn but remain cautious after they squandered a 2-0 lead to be held 2-2 in the last Ashes series in England in 2023.
"We probably let a couple of those (winning opportunities) slide, particularly at Headingley and The Oval. You just can't let them go," he said.
Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
