Australia vs India 2018-19: Previewing the 3rd Test in Melbourne

After capitulating meekly in Adelaide, the Aussies came roaring back in the second Test to level the series at 1-1. Now both India and Australia will aim to take an unassailable lead when they face each other in the third test of the series at Melbourne Cricket Ground from Wednesday, 26 December.

Australia have now played 96 Test matches against India of which the hosts have been able to win 42, while the visitors have won 27 of those.

After an impressive show in the second Test, Australia are considered favourites to beat India - especially considering their undefeated Boxing Day record against the visitors. The two teams have faced each other on seven Boxing Day occasions, with the Aussies dominating the scoreline 5-0.

But you cannot underestimate Indian lineup; that have the ability to thrash any opponent on their day. So we can expect it to be a close encounter at the MCG.

India's perspective

Team India aim to end boxing day drought.

India have had a poor record in Boxing Day Tests. The Men in Blue have featured in 14 Boxing Day Tests and managed a solitary win, against South Africa, back in 2010. Their last Boxing Day Test against Australia, which was MS Dhoni's last match before retirement, ended in a draw.

Batting

Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been the backbone for the visitors in this series. Pujara with 222 runs is the leading run-getter, which includes a century and a fifty; the batsman has been quite consistent in his approach and is likely to make the Aussie bowlers run for their money again.

Virat Kohli is coming off of an impressive 123 in the previous Test and the Indian skipper is expected to conquer the bowlers right from the beginning. Rahane, with 164 runs in two Tests, is the series' third best batsman and he along with Kohli played a key role in the previous Boxing Day outing in Melbourne by cracking tons in the first innings.

If these two can replicate their performance from 2014, we could see India ending their Boxing Day drought in Australia.

India's only concern in batting is the failure of their openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay, who have now both been dropped. Rohit Sharma has been recalled to the side and Mayank Agarwal has been drafted in too, but i'll be interesting to see who is given the opening duties.

Bowling

Mohammed Shami ended with 6/56 in second innings at Perth. He also has six wickets to his name in the only Test he has played at the MCG, and the pacer will be visitors' main weapon in the third Test against the Aussies.

Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have shared 10 wickets (five each) between them, and their current form is a big boost for the team ahead of the clash. Their only concern here is the spin department; Ravindra Jadeja has been recalled to the side due to Ravichandran Ashwin's injury.

Playing XI

Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant (W), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Australia's perspective

Australia would bank on their strong Boxing Day record against visitors.

Australia have never lost in a Boxing Day Test against India. Their previous record at MCG against all opponents will certainly boost their confidence even further, as in 19 Test matches, they have won 15 and lost just two.

The MCG has been no less than a fortress for the hosts, and it won't be an easy task to beat them here.

Batting

Travis Head with 163 runs has been the leading run scorer for Australia in the series so far including a couple of half-centuries, and the team will need him to replicate his form in the Boxing Day Test. Marcus Harris, who cracked a 70 at Perth, will bear the onus with Aaron Finch to get his team off to a strong start.

Skipper Tim Paine and Usman Khawaja are other two dependable batsmen, with the ability to change the path of the game on its head. The skipper has been in decent form this series, while Khawaja with a century and two fifties in three Tests at the MCG can be a nightmare for the visiting side.

Bowling

Nathan Lyon has been the top performer with the ball for the Aussies with 16 wickets, and he will continue to be a major threat to the Indian batsmen in the upcoming Test as well. Meanwhile Mitchell Starc took a five-for at Perth and seems to found his rhythm back. He along with Josh Hazlewood, who has snared eight wickets in two outings. are expected to trouble the visitors with the new ball.

Apart from these two, the hosts would need Pat Cummins to take a few wickets and rattle the Indian top order early on.

Expected Playing XI

Tim Paine (C & W), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Travis Head.