India vs Australia: Uncertainty and chaos hit visitors as Virat Kohli and company aim to script history in Sydney

One generally expects the team leading 2-1 in the series to be brimming with confidence, but India have had plenty of chaos in the build-up to the fourth and final Test of the series. The Indians seem hesitant about their final playing XI, the pitch and the fitness of several key players including that of Ravichandran Ashwin. [caption id=“attachment_5656211” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File picture of Indian cricket team. AFP[/caption] Interestingly,  Ashwin took to the SCG nets on Monday when there was no practice session scheduled. He then walked out of the dressing room to be the first one to examine the pitch. The off-spinner then participated in all the warm-up drills and also bowled for over 30 minutes in the nets. Everything looked good until it was announced at the press conference that Ashwin is not 100 percent fit and will not take part in the fourth Test. However, after an hour, the Tamil Nadu spinner was announced in the 13-man squad and with a decision on his inclusion to be taken on the morning of the match. To throw another spanner in the works, Ishant Sharma’s name didn’t feature in the squad list and the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, and KL Rahul seems to suggest India is still unconvinced about the surface and the injuries. To add to the mystery, Kohli had suggested that the team management was pleased with the way Hanuma Vihari had performed with the ball, indicating that he was more than capable of playing as the back-up to Jadeja.  It then begs the question as to why India has listed three spinners in the 13? The preparations have been far from ideal given that India is on verge of creating history. India has never won a series in Australia and never has an Indian pace bowling battery been so potent on the bouncy Australian surfaces. The pitch at the SCG had a tinge of green, but it is believed that the track is dry underneath and the hot weather predicted during the match is expected to bake it even further. Curator Justin Groves told reporters that he expects both the fast bowlers and spinners to gain assistance from the strip. “What we generally have is a bit of a green tinge on days one and two favouring the batsmen a little bit. There is some good early bowling with the new ball before it starts to turn late in the game and get a bit more unpredictable as the game wears on through the five days." Groves said. This is the first year Groves has been in charge of the pitch and from all accounts he has kept both parties guessing about how it will play out over the course of five days.  The other selection drama for India surrounds the absence of Rohit Sharma.  KL Rahul batted for a long period in the nets on Wednesday and there is a fair chance that India will look to reinstate him at the top of the order with Mayank Agarwal. It will prompt Vihari to drop down to No 6, but with Ishant ruled out of the match, it could possibly result in India selecting two spinners and two pacers. Ravindra Jadeja also spent a while with the physio during the practice session and given the fragile nature of his shoulder there are also whispers that he might be in doubt. Overall, there seems to plenty of chaos and hesitancy. The Indian unit is far from settled and the final combination could well be a crucial factor which would determine whether India can win their first ever series in Australia. On the field, India’s batting needs to click consistently. After a good show in the first innings in Melbourne, they faltered in the second and that was a wake-up call. The bowling unit has done tremendously well and they will need constant support from the batsmen . KL Rahul, if in case he gets another chance, and Ajinkya Rahane would be looking up the ante and chip in with telling contributions to support Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. On the other side of the coin, the hosts are pondering reinstating Peter Handscomb in the middle order which means Aaron Finch might have to make way. This would also mean that Usman Khawaja will likely open with Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh will be elevated to No 3. In the bowling department, there is a slim chance of Marnus Labuschagne replacing Mitchell Marsh. Apart from the selection, Australia’s other worry is how do they handle Jasprit Bumrah? The Indian pacer has looked unplayable at times and the Aussie batsmen are often caught in the web, unsure whether to defend or counterattack against him. If Australia are to level the series they will need at least one centurion in the Test. Khawaja and Shaun Marsh need to find that ruthlessness in their batting and take up the responsibility. Travis Head and Harris need to follow suit.  The Australian top six has an accumulative average of 25.8 while the No 7-No 11 is averaging 21.3. Perhaps they can learn the art of patience and perseverance from Pat Cummins! Australia also need Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to continuously provide backup to Pat Cummins. Throughout the series, Starc and Hazlewood haven’t been able to maintain the stranglehold created by Lyon and Cummins which has released the pressure valve on India time and again. It has been eight Tests since Starc took a five-wicket haul and Australia need him to be at his best in the final Test. There are plenty of uncertainties and doubts ahead of the deciding Test. Can India create history or will Australia show the mental resolve to bounce back? Don’t be surprised if we are in for another cracker.