India will hand a debut to batsman Shikhar Dhawan in Thursday’s third
Test as they look to further put the boot into an Australia side facing a
mountain of problems.
The tourists’ preparations for the match in Mohali are in disarray both on and off the pitch. The decision to drop Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson for disciplinary reasons means coach Mickey Arthur has only 12 players to choose from.
In addition, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has an ankle injury with Brad Haddin called up as replacement if needed.
On the pitch, Australia trail 2-0 in the four-Test series after heavy defeats in the opening two matches, the second by an innings and 135 runs, and they will be looking to salvage a draw with some much-improved performances.
In comparison, India come into the Test on the back of two outstanding performances and with the luxury of being able to name a debutant in their line-up.
Dhawan will open the batting in place of the experienced Virender Sehwag, who has been dropped after a dip in form, and the 27-year-old is looking to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
Dhawan was reluctant to discuss Australia’s well-documented problems, but believes they can cope with the absence of Pattinson.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a double century in the second Test, suffered a knee injury in the nets earlier this week but is expected to be fit in time.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke had already said he will move up the batting order from number five following the mauling in Hyderabad, and his presence will be needed even more in the absence of vice-captain Watson.
Despite the upheaval and negative press, Arthur is hoping the players can put their recent troubles to one side and focus on their cricket instead.
SQUADS
INDIA : Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
AUSTRALIA : Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin.
The tourists’ preparations for the match in Mohali are in disarray both on and off the pitch. The decision to drop Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson for disciplinary reasons means coach Mickey Arthur has only 12 players to choose from.
In addition, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has an ankle injury with Brad Haddin called up as replacement if needed.
On the pitch, Australia trail 2-0 in the four-Test series after heavy defeats in the opening two matches, the second by an innings and 135 runs, and they will be looking to salvage a draw with some much-improved performances.
In comparison, India come into the Test on the back of two outstanding performances and with the luxury of being able to name a debutant in their line-up.
Dhawan will open the batting in place of the experienced Virender Sehwag, who has been dropped after a dip in form, and the 27-year-old is looking to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
Dhawan was reluctant to discuss Australia’s well-documented problems, but believes they can cope with the absence of Pattinson.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a double century in the second Test, suffered a knee injury in the nets earlier this week but is expected to be fit in time.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke had already said he will move up the batting order from number five following the mauling in Hyderabad, and his presence will be needed even more in the absence of vice-captain Watson.
Despite the upheaval and negative press, Arthur is hoping the players can put their recent troubles to one side and focus on their cricket instead.
SQUADS
INDIA : Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
AUSTRALIA : Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin.
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