A 137-run victory in the Boxing Day Test means India have the opportunity to win the series in Sydney.
Having taken a 2-1 lead over Australia, a draw in the fourth and final Test will do the job for Virat Kohli and his men.
The hosts on the other hand must win to draw level ahead of the two ODI matches to follow.
SYDNEY’S SIGNIFICANCE
Victory in Melbourne means India have already retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy but their appetite for success in the Sydney Test will be no less intense.
The match is poised to be the most significant in India’s recent Test history. It presents them with an opportunity to finally secure an elusive Test series Down Under and slap a deserved gold star on their track record outside the Asian subcontinent.
Aside from the history that stands to be created, there are also also recent wrongs they would love to put right. A lot more was expected of the Indians than they delivered during their tours of South Africa and England. Questionable team selection and poor preparations cost them then but it’s been a different story in Australia, one of redemption even.
A series triumph in Australia would be a huge result, the kind that generates confidence capable of transcending formats as well. It would close the chapter on India’s Test conquests perfectly and set them up nicely ahead of their preparations for this summer’s World Cup, starting with the ensuing ODIs.
History makers?
SLEDGING
The topic of sledging was always going to dominate this series. India and Australia have a competitive history and their fierce rivalry has boiled over on occasion with players from both camps going over the line at times.
Given the current climate in Australian cricket after last year’s infamous ball-tampering scandal and the subsequent mandate to cultivate a better ‘culture’ within the camp, the hosts were under the spotlight in this series. With India led by an aggressive captain in Kohli who never shies away from a good verbal volley, sparks were set to fly.
However, while the line might’ve been toed in Perth, it’s been largely harmless and even entertaining, particularly when the wicket-keepers have been involved.
The banter between Tim Paine and Rishabh Pant during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne provided its share of comedic relief.
With Pant at the crease, the Australia skipper asked if he could babysit his kids.
“Should get this bloke down to Hurricanes.. They need a batter. Fancy that, extend your Aussie holiday, beautiful town Hobart too… get him a water front apartment. Have him over for dinner. Do you babysit? I can take my wife to the movies while you watch the kids,” Paine said.
Pant retorted by bandying about the term ‘temporary captain’ when Paine came in to bat. It seems as if it all went down well with the Australian’s wife Bonnie Paine getting involved.
On Tuesday, Bonnie shared a story on Instagram where she is pictured with Pant who can be seen holding one of her kids. She captioned it ‘Best babysitter’.
No place for sledging in cricket? We beg to differ.
SPINNING SCG
Nathan Lyon has enjoyed an excellent series and arguably India’s biggest mistake in Perth was deciding against selecting a spinner. Predictably, Ravindra Jadeja was more than useful in the third Test, taking five wickets.
Both sides are certain to go with at least one spinner for the clash at Sydney Cricket Ground but with the venue being particularly conducive to slower bowlers as recent BBL games there suggest, the question is whether or not to go with two.
If Ravi Ashwin is fit, he could join Jadeja in the XI but even if he remains absent, Kuldeep Yadav is a fine alternative so a two-spinners strategy is certainly on the table for the visitors.
On the other hand, the Aussies would most likely have to replace Mitchell Marsh with a spin bowling all-rounder and Glenn Maxwell could be among the candidates while Shane Warne has even suggested D’Arcy Short for consideration.
However, Marnus Labuschagne is the front runner after having his first training session with the Australian team since being called into the extended squad for fourth Test.
Ravi Ashwin.