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The ongoing Test series between Australia and India is proving to be one of the most exciting in recent times. After a humiliating loss in Adelaide, which saw India register their lowest score in Test cricket - 36/9 in the second innings, the visitors bounced back in style in Melbourne.
With Virat Kohli returning home, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led from the front and scored a memorable century in the first innings. On the bowling front, debutant Mohammed Siraj stepped in to replace an injured Mohammed Shami as India thoroughly outplayed Australia at the MCG.
With the series level at 1-1 after the first two matches, the third Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 7.
5 players to watch out for in the India-Australia 3rd Test
#5 Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is the latest prodigy of India's familial batting production line. The 21-year-old did everything correct after receiving the opportunity to represent India in Tests.
Gill, who scored a fluent 45 in the first innings and an unbeaten 35 in the second, impressed one and all with his technique and maturity in the Boxing-Day Test.
Many cricketing legends, including the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Glenn McGrath and Michael Hussey hailed him for his calm and composure. Hussey event went onto say that he can represent India for the next 10 years.
#4 Pat Cummins
The Australian speedster will be another player to watch out for, given he has been sensational ever since his comeback to the international arena. The mainstay of the Australian bowling attack possesses all the weapons a pacer needs.
At the SCG, he will have the advantage of playing on home soil and will definitely use it to his advantage.
Pat Cummins already has 10 wickets to his name in the ongoing series at an impressive average of 17.10. His 4 for 21 in the second innings at Adelaide helped Australia bundle out India for their lowest-ever score in Test cricket - 36.
Besides his excellent bowling abilities, Cummins is a handy batsman down the order.
#3 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is India’s most reliable bowler in the Test series in the absence of veteran seamer Ishant Sharma. Now, with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav also ruled out due to injuries, Bumrah will have to step up his game as he will be responsible to lead India’s pace attack.
Bumrah has picked up eight wickets in the series so far at an average of 23.63. His six wickets at the MCG were instrumental in scripting the historic win for India.
David Warner's battle against Bumrah will be a special contest at the SCG.
#2 Ajinkya Rahane
A lot was expected from Ajinkya Rahane in the absence of Virat Kohli in the second Test and the right-handed batsman didn't disappoint. The task had become even more daunting after the shattering loss in Adelaide.
Nonetheless, Ajinkya Rahane not only showed his smarts with captaincy but also shone with the bat, scoring a fine century in the first innings to lead India's charge. At possibly one of the worst times to take over as a captain, he produced a masterclass.
Rahane would like to keep going at the SCG and lead India from the front once again.
#1 Steve Smith
Steve Smith is probably the best Test player of the current era. Him winning the ICC Test Player of the Decade accolade is a testament to the fact. The Australian has scored 7237 runs in Tests, including 26 centuries, at an astonishing average of 61.33.
Although Smith has not been among runs in the series so far, having managed just 10 runs at an average of 3.33, we can never write him off.
The Indian bowlers have done well against him in the series, but we all know it is difficult to keep Smith at bay for long. He will be looking to go hard at the Indians at the SCG.
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