India's strongest XI for the Sydney Test

Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

Pujara and Kohli stitched a match-winning 170-run stand at the MCG

India's middle-order cashed in big time on the platform laid by the openers. Pujara, in this typical manner, scored his second ton of the series and along with skipper Virat Kohli, stitched a 170-run stand for the third wicket to help India set a formidable first innings total.

Ajinkya Rahane has looked in good touch throughout the series and has registered two fifties thus far. He looked good during his 34 at MCG and will be desperate to sign off the series with a three-figure score; something which he hasn't done since August 2017.

All-rounder and Wicketkeeper

With 19 dismissals, Rishabh Pant is equal with Syed Kirmani and Naren Tamhane for an Indian wicket-keeper with most dismissals in a series. While his banter with Tim Paine has been garnering headlines, his glovework sans spinners has been top notch.

With the SCG track conducive to spin bowling Rohit Sharma out of contention for the fourth Test, India might go in with a two-fold spin attack and rest one of their seamers, which brings Hardik Pandya into contention. The Baroda all-rounder is coming off an injury layoff but has shown good form in Ranji Trophy where he claimed five wickets and also scored a fifty. Pandya can be used as third seaming option of Indid decide to go in with two spinners.