With the series level 1-1, the caravan heads to Melbourne for the third Test of the series. India have a golden chance to win their first series Down Under, but much of that will depend on how well they can perform against the Aussies' pace bowlers on a true surface at MCG on Boxing Day. The think-tank have sat out the two openers, which means Mayank Agarwal will debut and will have a new partner alongside him at the top.
Australia, meanwhile, had a confidence-boosting win at Melbourne courtesy some strong performances from their core players. Aaron Finch is fit and firing and will continue to open, this time at his home venue while Mitchell Marsh returns to the side ahead of Peter Handscomb.
Conditions: A flat baked surface with loads of runs. Cracks could help spinners later in the Test. Something in the wicket for all kinds of bowlers and batsmen.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant (8.5 points)
Pant has been hit or miss in this series but he has had a lot of work to do behind the stumps. Paine is probably the more reliable batsman, but Pant with his busy work behind the wicket and probability to go berserk on a flat surface should be your first-choice pick.
Batsman: Cheteshwar Pujara (10 points)
At the flat MCG, Pujara who has shown little weakness and is in good touch should make your fantasy side. The No. 3 batsman has been resilient and resolved and has shown the fire
With the series level 1-1, the caravan heads to Melbourne for the third Test of the series. India have a golden chance to win their first series Down Under, but much of that will depend on how well they can perform against the Aussies' pace bowlers on a true surface at MCG on Boxing Day. The think-tank have sat out the two openers, which means Mayank Agarwal will debut and will have a new partner alongside him at the top.
Australia, meanwhile, had a confidence-boosting win at Melbourne courtesy some strong performances from their core players. Aaron Finch is fit and firing and will continue to open, this time at his home venue while Mitchell Marsh returns to the side ahead of Peter Handscomb.
Conditions: A flat baked surface with loads of runs. Cracks could help spinners later in the Test. Something in the wicket for all kinds of bowlers and batsmen.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant (8.5 points)
Pant has been hit or miss in this series but he has had a lot of work to do behind the stumps. Paine is probably the more reliable batsman, but Pant with his busy work behind the wicket and probability to go berserk on a flat surface should be your first-choice pick.
Batsman: Cheteshwar Pujara (10 points)
At the flat MCG, Pujara who has shown little weakness and is in good touch should make your fantasy side. The No. 3 batsman has been resilient and resolved and has shown the fire in the belly that Indian sides have lacked in Australia. Expect him to make a big score at MCG.
All-rounder: Mitchell Marsh (9 points)
The younger Marsh brother is an impact player and his return to the side should bolster the Aussies. A handy all-rounder, Marsh can give the seamers some much needed bowling break and can also build an innings. He has been in good touch in Shield cricket of late and should fire on the flat MCG wicket.
Bowler: Nathan Lyon (8.5 points)
Lyon is the top wicket-taker in the series so far with 16 wickets in two Tests. He is the only bowler with two five-wicket hauls in the series so far and has had the wood over several Indian batsmen. On a flat wicket with he searing heat, the spinners should come into play and there is no one better than Lyon to exploit the conditions on offer.
Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara
Vice-captain: Nathan Lyon
