What

The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, between India and Australia.

When

March 14 to 18, 2013

Where

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, Mohali

The Teams

India

The out-of-form Virender Sehwag’s exclusion is the sole change in the Indian squad for the third and fourth Tests. It’s a wonderful opportunity for either Shikhar Dhawan or Ajinkya Rahane to make a mark in a winning team.

While the conditions in Mohali will markedly different from those in southern India, MS Dhoni might not need to change his bowling combination. Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will feel more at home on the pacy track and R Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh will still be able to trouble the Australian left-handers with rising deliveries. After all, both the Indian off-spinners relish bounce more than spin.

Australia

After two humiliating defeats, in Chennai and Hyderabad, Australia have suffered further setbacks – Matthew Wade is doubtful for the third Test with an ankle injury while Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson have been reportedly dumped on disciplinary grounds. This development could be the last nail in Australia’s coffin as Watson and Pattinson could have been Australia’s key players in Mohali, amid conditions highly conducive to their game. While Brad Haddin has been called up as a cover for Wade, Australia will feel highly handicapped while picking their Playing XI from a depleted 13-man squad.

Key Players

India

On a Hyderabad track that didn’t offer much to the pace bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar rattled the Australian top-order in the first innings. In Mohali, the rookie swing bowler will be quite a handful as conditions will help him move the new ball in the air. MS Dhoni’s sizzling form will be a worrying factor for Australia too.

Australia

In the first two Tests Michael Clarke solely bore all burden of the team’s batting. With the mass exodus ahead of the Mohali contest, the Australian captain’s shoulders are bound to droop a bit further. Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc will have to share the bowling responsibilities between themselves in absence of their best fast bowler – Pattinson – in the series so far.

Trivia

In their entire cricketing history Australia have lost all four Tests of a series only once – vs South Africa in 1969-70.

If India post another 500-plus total, it will be the first time Australia will be conceding a 500-plus total in three consecutive Tests.

Stats

Average first innings score at PCA Stadium, Mohali:

Overall – 373

Since 2000- 404

Average second innings score at PCA Stadium, Mohali

Overall – 384

Since 2000- 388

Result summary at PCA Stadium, Mohali

Head-to-head:

Last meeting between both sides at PCA Stadium, Mohali

Brief scores: India (405 & 216/9) beat Australia (428 & 192) by one wicket (October 1-5, 2010)

Form guide (most recent listed first):

India: Won, Won, Drawn, Lost, Lost (2 wins, 2 losses)

Australia: Lost, Lost, Won, Won, Won (3 wins, 2 losses)

Squads

India: M.S. Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Dinda, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma

Australia (Available): Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Matthew Wade (doubtful), Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin

Out: Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja