(Cricket news) Australia have had a torrid time in India so far after losing the opening 2 Tests. They have since then lost David Warner and Josh Hazelwood to injury while family reasons has kept skipper Pat Cummins out of contention for the 3rd Test. Ashton Agar was sent home after two debutants played ahead of him in Nagpur and Delhi. There has been a lot of chopping and changing not only in the playing XI but also in the squad. The good news is that Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green are fit to play while leg spinner Mitchell Swepson is also back in the squad.

The condition of the pitches were in news even before the series started. They definitely favour India and Australia’s decision to not play a tour game has backfired already. In Indore it will be no different as it is expected to be another turning wicket. It is not that Australians can’t bat on these wickets because Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Peter Handscome have shown that it is possible. It is just the question of staying there longer and being patient. Australia have shown enough glimses of quality in the first 2 Tests. They just need to play well for longer periods and India can be beaten.

As for India, their middle order needs to score big soon. The lower middle order has been rescuing them by stopping a collapse for a long time. Virat Kohli is due to big score in Test cricket and he will be hoping that it happens in Indore. Rohit Sharma has already indicated that if they win in Indore than the last Test can be used as a preparation for the World Test Championship final. India will definitely not want to think that ahead ws Australia can turn things around really quickly.

Also read: Australia’s ideal playing XI for the 3rd Test against India