Australia v India 2019: Three reasons why India might win the third Test 

India were widely tipped to endure a string of positive results prior to the tour of Australia. In the series opener at Adelaide, they did just that by taking it session by session, landing the ball in the right areas, and proving it with the bat against a top-notch pace attack.

After the 31-run victory, they traveled to Perth's brand-new Optus Stadium. However, Virat Kohli's troops were simply outclassed by a Nathon Lyon-inspired performance, coupled with two handy innings by Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja.

The result simply set up a stellar, evenly-poised series, that detours to the premier sporting venue of Australia - Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Although the Indians were made to taste defeat, they did play some quality cricket and apart from the final day, never looked beaten. The no. 1 Test side will now be boosted by the return of the lion-hearted Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin.

On that note, let's take a look at three reasons why India are favorites to claim a 2-1 lead in the Test series.

---

#1 The return of Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya will offer a lot to the side

After serving his country for 11 Tests in a row across the globe, Hardik Pandya suffered from a back injury in September against the Three Lions. The Mumbai Indians star is expected to be back in contention for the third test. Many pundits, supporters, and experts alike also believe that he will go straight into the starting XI, in place of Hanuma Vihari.

The latter put in a good shift at times but clearly showed discomfort when on the front foot. Now that Pandya is back, on any given day, one would prefer a more experienced, proven and all-round professional.

First and foremost, he will beef up India's pace battery that already consists of world-class and diverse pacers in Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah. His ability to extract bounce off the surface and break partnerships need no further mention.

The 25-year-old is to be plotted at number 6. With the fearless Rishabh Pant to follow at number 7, anyone who knows the gentleman's game would be able to sniff aggressive intent. Both of them are clean stroke-makers, powerful batsmen, and players who can take the game away from the opposition in a single session or period of play.

Brace yourself, Hardik Pandya is back.

#2 Increased depth in the batting order

Ashwin will add depth to the batting order

As aforementioned, Pandya offers a lot to all three departments. Not only will be score through quickly, adapt to the situation and make adjustments, but also increase the depth of the Indian batting.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who was withdrawn in the second test due to injury, is expected to be back into the fold for this one. In the previous match, the two-time world champions fielded four fast bowlers, which meant that after Pant, the long tail was exposed.

If you think the number of fast bowlers doesn't necessarily affect the batting line-up if they can do their job well with the ball, it is important to know that while the number 8,9,10 and 11 of the Aussies scored a total of 71 runs in the Perth Test, the lower order of India only managed a paltry 11.

That's a significant difference. And probably, those runs proved vital in the end.

Now that Ashwin and Pandya are set to return, we can expect a few more runs from the visitors which can certainly lead to healthy totals.

#3 The hunger of Virat Kohli

Letting the bat talk

No Aussie in this series has managed to play a long innings, but Virat Kohli definitely has. When he walked out to bat in the first innings at Perth, the 30-year-old oozed purpose and belief. Right from ball one, he was on top of his game. Almost everything he touched hit the middle of the bat.

Apart from the supremacy Kohli portrayed, the inconsistency of the Australians is a major reason for India's success so far.

Usman Khawaja has played one gritty innings, the young Harris has threaded together a couple of fine knocks, and so has Travis Head, but the likes of Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb and Tim Paine haven't come to the party yet.

Given their unreliable nature, it is safe to say that the Aussies will have to work harder to build an array of partnerships. If this problem is combined with Kohli's present form, you know the hosts are in some spot of bother.