Fourth Test preview: India v Australia
One of the ugliest Test series in recent memory will draw to a close at one of the most beautiful grounds in international cricket.
The mudslinging and self-righteous protestations will take a back seat to what we hope will be an intense Test played on a good surface at Dharamsala.
India may have to face Australia on March 25 without their injured skipper Virat Kohli whose shoulder has dominated headlines since early in the third Test.
The hosts have brought speedster Mohammed Shami into the squad possibly to bluff the Aussies into thinking the wicket will be seam friendly or he could replace the tired-looking Ishant Sharma.
Australia meanwhile have toyed with the idea of axing a spinner in favour of seamer Jackson Bird who hasn’t featured since the second Test against Pakistan.
Paceman Pat Cummins held up well despite a marathon effort in Ranchi which bodes well for his future although it could spell the end of Bird’s chances home and away.
The Australian middle-order looks in good shape after forcing the draw in Ranchi with Steve Smith the most in-form batsman in world cricket being backed up by solid performances from Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell looking every bit the Test number six.
David Warner has been poor throughout the series but is the kind of player who can never be discounted.
For India the major concerns are the form of Ajinkya Rahane and skipper Kohli who haven’t turned up in the last few Tests but there have been contributions up and down the order with Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul forming an imposing opening partnership and being backed up by the dependable Cheteshwar Pujara.
Ravi Ashwin had a difficult time in Ranchi and will be eager to get back on top after losing his number one ranking to Ravindra Jadeja who has enjoyed a purple patch this series.
Umesh Yadav has been a revelation this series showing a willingness to attack the stumps and effect leg before decisions especially when the bounce becomes unpredictable.
Wriddhiman Saha has been more than solid behind the stumps and his runs have been vital when India’s middle-order kingpins have misfired.
Key men
Pujara has assumed the mantle of middle order rock and India will look to build innings around the man whom Australia have found very hard to shift.
Jadeja has troubled the Australians and time and again has been able to break partnerships by building pressure on the visitors.
Smith has been so consistent throughout the summer even when Australia were struggling and his ability to dig deep and keep the scoreboard ticking over will again be vital for the Baggy Green.
Cummins has the pace through the air to trouble any batsman on almost any surface in the manner of Dale Steyn, Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult and will assume Starc’s role of getting the early breakthroughs.
Squads
India: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandaran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Shreyas Iyer
Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Stephen O’Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade
Last five Head-to-head meetings
2017 Third Test: Drawn match in Ranchi
2017 Second Test: India won by 75 runs in Bangalore
2017 First Test: Australia won by 333 runs in Pune
2015 Fourth Test: Drawn match at the SCG
2015 Third Test: Drawn Match at the MCG
Details
25-29 March 2017
Morning session: 09:30-11:30 (04:00-06:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:15-14:15 (06:45-08:45 GMT)
Evening session: 14:30-17:00 (09:00-11:30 GMT)
Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould
TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney
Match Referee: Richie Richardson
Latest
-
News
Brendon McCullum hoping to help England Test team lose ‘fear of failure’
The former New Zealand captain is looking to improve a record which has seen England win just one of their last 17 Tests.
-
News
Brendon McCullum: England can be the nation to reverse Test cricket’s fortunes
The former New Zealand captain has been appointed head coach of the England Test team.
-
News
Matthew Mott: Andrew Symonds came close to playing for England over Australia
The then-teenager was offered a place on the England A tour of Pakistan in 1995 after scoring four centuries for Gloucestershire.
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
News
Shane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.