Shubman Gill comes up with a mouth-shutting reply to Pat Cummins over the "short-ball" barrage  ahead of 3rd Test

The third test between India and Australia will start at 5:50 AM on Saturday at the Gabba. India and Australia have won one game each.

Things are heating up as the two powerhouses are ready to lock horns in the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane. The ongoing five-match test series between India and Australia is evenly poised at 1-1, with both teams winning one game each. But after the win in Adelaide, Australia have an upper hand going into the third game.

The Australian captain, Pat Cummins, sparked the heat when he said that they will be looking to use more bouncers if required against the Indian batters in the third test. Notably, Cummins took 5/57 in the second innings in Adelaide, and most of those wickets came off bouncers.

Hence, when asked about his plans, he admitted that they are ready to use the bouncers if required. That statement has spread all over social media, and it looks like it also reached the Idnain camps. That is why when Shubman Gill came out to attend the pre-match conference, he was also asked about Cummins' statement.

Shubman Gill respond to "bouncer barrage" statement by Pat Cummins ahead of 3rd Test at the Gabba.

The test will start at 5:50 AM IST, and both teams will look to get over their opposition. The first few visuals of the surface suggest grass covering, which will bring more carry and bounce, and it will not be easy to adjust the bounce for the batters. But Gill has something else to say about Australia's plans.

Gill said that no top-order Indian batter was dismissed on a short ball and said it is not a threat for the visiting batters anymore. The Indian star said, "(On Australia's short-ball success against India) I don't think they were successful with the implementation of the short-ball tactics (against us). Apart from the tail-enders, only one batter has fallen prey to the short ball. So I am not sure what success he (Cummins) is talking about."

With such statements made from both camps, one can certainly confirm that things are heating up as the series is going forward. India threw the first punch, and Australia responded brilliantly. Now, it is time for the visitors to make a comeback. India don't have a good record at the Gabba, as they have only won one game out of seven played at this venue.

But Australia have also lost two out of the last four tests played here. India won the historic Gabba test in 2020-21, which helped them to clinch the BGT trophy last time when they were in Australia. That win would certainly give them the confidence to beat Australia once again.