Daijiworld Media Network

Ranchi, Mar 16 : The newest and 26th Test venue for India is all set to host India Vs Australia series 3rd Test match. The series is already balaned with one win for each team. The journey sofar also marred by contraversies, specially the DRS used by Smith. Though differences have been burried by both teams, just day before the Test, Kohli's statement on DRS angered Smith and forced hims to say that Indian captain speaking rubbish on DRS.

Kohli had said on the eve of the third Test that he had no regrets over accusing Australia of systematically abusing the Decision Review System (DRS) in their last match in Bangalore, Smith angrily denied that he was guilty of more than a momentary lapse.

Once again Rachi picth is expected to help spinners from day 1. India might consider third spin option as Jayant Yadav or Kuldeep in place of Karun Nair. Similarly, Australia might consider Aston Agar in place of injured speedster Mitchel Starc. 

Toss will be once again a crucial factor here. Batting first will be advantages to toss winning side.

Test preview :

It hasn't been the ideal build up to what has turned out to become the most important Test of the series. Ranchi is gearing up to host its first ever Test, but all the talk has been about reviewgate or the pitch that the players will play on.

Despite the players, boards and coaches insisting that the focus needs to be shifted back to cricket, sadly a lingering aftertaste of bitterness remains. Virat Kohli's pre-match press conference in Ranchi was so dominated with questions about DRS that he even thanked a journalist for asking him a cricket related query. Steve Smith said that Kohli's claims were complete rubbish. The match referee has called for a match that will see cricket as the winner. Some Australian papers have even reported that India have gotten themselves a tailor-made pitch to negate Australia's bowling strengths, and that it was a pitch stitch-up for the ages.

Despite, and maybe in part thanks to, all this the Test at Ranchi is one of the most eagerly awaited games in recent years. And once the cricket begins, hopefully the compelling contests that have designed the series thus far can continue unabated.

'Let's make history,' the hoardings in the city scream as Ranchi hopes to have a successful first Test. A special postal letter to commemorate the event will be released. The series is tantalisingly poised and the locals are excited. All the boxes needed for a strong first Test have been ticked, only the cricket's left.

India, with their win in Bengaluru, have momentum on their side, but Australia will know that they are just one win away from keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite Kohli's India never having played two consecutive Tests with the same XI, the home team have managed to run through this campaign by largely sticking to a set of players. In Ranchi, too, there should be no big changes. Anil Kumble had mentioned that Murali Vijay is fit to play, and that apart, India will have to ponder about going with their more-trusted five-bowler plan or to stick to what worked in Bengaluru.

For Australia, there are more reasons to worry. Their gun bowler, Mitchell Starc is out of the series, taking away a potent pace option that could have brought them wickets with sheer pace. Nathan Lyon's finger injury has fully healed, but with the wicket not expected to play to his strengths, he will have to put in a harder shift. However, in players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Pat Cummins, Australia have the x-factor to upstage the hosts.

All the talk in the build up should suggest another Test match for the ages, let's hope Ranchi lives up to the billing.

When: Thursday, March 16, 9:30 AM IST

Where: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

What to expect: The pitch at Ranchi is expected to play low and slow. The toss could be a vital factor, with the track expected to be at its best on the opening day.

Team News:

India: India will have two major decisions to make. Murali Vijay, if fully fit, is expected to return to the side, but the absence of a left-hander in the top order could also work in Abhinav Mukund's favour if Vijay is still carrying a niggle. In Bengaluru, India went in with an extra batter in Karun Nair. It will be interesting to see if they maintain a four-bowler combination. Jayant Yadav could be a good option for the home side given that the pitch will stay low.

Australia: Australia have two forced changes to make. Mitchell Starc's injury could pave a return for Pat Cummins, while Marcus Stoinis is a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Marsh. Australia could also be tempted into using either Glenn Maxwell or Ashton Agar as replacement for Marsh.

Quotes:

Virat obviously stuck by his comments. From my point of view I think they're completely wrong. I obviously came out after the game and said I made a mistake and it was an error on my behalf, it was a brain fade. In regards to saying we do it consistently, that's complete rubbish in my opinion. I think he was wrong in his statement - Steve Smith

I think about what I say. I don't regret anything that I have said. But at the same time, it is very important not to be stupid and go on about the same thing on a daily basis because there is cricket to be played. There was a decent break in between and we certainly don't want to sit and think about one issue all the time. We have cricket to play, we have two Test matches to play and that's what we need to focus on - Virat Kohli