In cool Dharamsala, it’s win or bust
SUMMIT CLASH India need to win the final Test to regain the BorderGavaskar Trophy; for Australia, even a draw will do
After six months and 12 Tests, the Indian season will climax at this picturesque new venue when the fourth and final Test against Australia starts on Saturday.
India may have dominated New Zealand, England and Bangladesh but Australia have surprised them with their resilience that has left the series deadlocked at 1-1 going into the decider.
All eyes are on skipper Virat Kohli, who is desperate to be fully fit for the crunch game but has acknowledged that he is fighting a difficult battle. Shreyas Iyer is set to make his debut if Kohli is out.
The Indian selectors added Iyer and Mohammed Shami to the squad on Friday evening. It is an indication that the pace bowler, who has not played after the third Test against England in Mohali due to knee trouble, may replace Ishant Sharma, who has struggled for wickets.
ALL OR NOTHING
The stakes are high for both teams in this attritional series. For India, not winning in Dharamsala would partially undo the grand success they have had in a jam-packed home season.
A win or draw for Steven Smith’s side will help them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It will also be seen as a massive strategic triumph for a squad that has gone to great lengths to mark a turnaround in their poor run against sub-continental rivals.
CLEAR DISCOMFORT
On Friday morning, Kohli seemed to be feel discomfort in his shoulder as the players warmed up. But he didn’t have any issue batting in the nets.
Losing Kohli for the game will be a big blow, but the skipper himself was objective. “Me being 100 % fit is the only condition that I will play.”
The pitches for the series have gone from a rank turner to one where the pacers could find more purchase, with the altitude expected to provide carry.
But the grass was shaved off on Friday, and it remains to be seen how much the pitch has been watered.
If the HPCA Stadium pitch is dry, the spinners could come into play as the game progresses.
Will India go for a third pacer? Unlikely if they persist with six batsmen, especially if Kohli is unable to play.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who can swing the ball in these conditions, too bowled a long spell at the nets.
Australia though have indicated they could play Jackson Bird as the third seamer with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins if they feel the new ball bowlers can get the job done.
INDIAN SELECTORS ADDED SHREYAS IYER AND MOHAMMED SHAMI TO THE SQUAD ON FRIDAY EVENING, IN AN INDICATION BOTH COULD BE IN FOR SELECTION.