India favourites for the third Test match at Mohali

13 March, 2013

The Indian team has come up with a splendid show in the ongoing Test series against the Australians, which they lead 2-0. A victory in the third Test match would help India win the series with one Test match still to go after Mohali.

The Australians, on the other hand, would like to win the remainder of the Test matches and level the series. This is the best result they can expect from the series. They have to play out of their skin, if they are to come anywhere close in winning the remaining two Test matches.

It is a tough task for the Australian players to come up and deliver the goods, when the team is already in turmoil. They have been outplayed in both the Test matches by the Indians and have looked good with both the bat as well as the ball, whereas the Australians have struggled while facing Indian spinners as well as bowling at the Indian batsmen.

To add to their problems, the Australians just have 13 players to choose from for the third Test match. Four Australian players - James Pattinson, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja - have been axed by the Australian think tank for not listening to the orders of the team management. Pattinson and Watson have been an integral part of the Australian team so they are going to be missed by the Aussies. Of all the matches, Pattinson, their fast bowler would be missing the Mohali Test, which is said to produce good bounce and pace. He could have played an important role.

The Indians, on the other hand, have in-form players such as MS Dhoni, Murli Vijay, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin just to name a few. They have all contributed in winning the first two Test matches. It would be unfair, if we do not level India as favourites against the weak looking and an inexperienced Australian side. Primarily, it is the Indian spinners that have been a big threat for Australia and expect the same to happen at Mohali as well especially when the spinners are bowling in tandem.

The Indian team has dropped Virender Sehwag, but no replacements have been made. So, in all probability, Shikhar Dhawan or Ajinkya Rahane would be making debut partnering Murli Vijay for the opening slot. Irrespective of who gets to play, it is a chance for them to impress the selectors. They need to grab it with both hands.

A victory in the third Test match would bring India closer to a series whitewash, which they would like to complete in Delhi, where the fourth and the final Test match is scheduled.