India vs Australia 2017: India's predicted XI for the final Test in Dharamsala

Middle order

Cheteshwar Pujara who was named the man of the match in the 3^rd test match would continue at no. 3. Currently the 2^nd highest run scorer in the series behind Australian captain Steve Smith, Pujara broke numerous records en-route his historic knock of 202 in the first innings of the previous Test in Ranchi. He took 525 deliveries and by doing so he broke the record of the most number of deliveries taken by an Indian batsman in Tests.

Extra Cover: The significance of Cheteshwar Pujara

Virat Kohli has been going through a slump off late and has not been able to come up with the goods in the entire series. With a total score of 46 in 5 innings, he averages only 9.20 with the bat. Instead, he has been in the news for all the wrong reasons with regards to the sledging and banter on the field. He will be looking to put all of that behind him and get back to his best.

His shoulder has been bothering him after his injury in the third Test and Shreyas Iyer has also been called as a cover for him, but he has not been ruled out of the Test yet so we could expect to see him play.

Extra Cover: India vs Australia: Shreyas Iyer called in as a cover for Virat Kohli

Ajinkya Rahane too hasn't been in great form off late apart from scoring one half-century in the second Test. However, he remains a vital cog in the Indian batting line-up and has produced top notch performances when it has mattered most, so he would surely retain his place in the side.

Wriddhiman Saha produced the innings of his life in the previous Test with a well-crafted century and a 199 run partnership along with Pujara. By doing so, the duo broke a 69-year-old record of the highest 7^th wicket partnership for India in Tests. Since Dhoni last played a Test, Saha started off slowly but has slowly become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team with his impressive wicket keeping and batting skills.

The batsman who would most probably miss out on a spot is Karun Nair. He was brought into the side to bring some stability into the middle order and despite getting starts in both the innings, he failed to perform well.