The third Test of India-Australia series will be played on the tracks of Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali from March, 14. Pitch at Mohali has always had something for both spin and fast bowlers and this time also it looks no different. India is riding on the winning horse and is looking to beat the Australian team for the third time in a row. Duncan Fletcher as coach has already seen twice the figure of 4-0 being on a losing side, but this time the balance is in his favour and he would surely wish to see Australia getting defeated by a similar margin. Chetashwar Pujara and Virat Kohli have been the rising stars for Indian team in this series and they look solid for another great knock in Mohali.

Here we bring to you the Players to watch out for in the Third Test of the four-match series.

INDIA

CHETASHWAR PUJARA: Chetashwar Pujara has been in brilliant touch this season and it looks it will continue in the next two Tests. His strike rate has improved in past few innings, which ensures that not only is he capable of stopping the fall of wickets but is also capable of keeping the score-board ticking. Pujara has been a corner stone of Indian middle-order from the past few series and his double-ton has marked him as a player who can change the complexion of the game with his extraordinary batting skills.

SACHIN TENDULKAR: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar looked in a great touch in first Test of the series but one bad shot got him out on 81. Sachin has scored just one ton on this ground and he will be definitely looking forward to bring up his second. He has scored 709 runs with an average of 50.64 and has smashed five half-centuries. Tendulkar can be very explosive on his day and he would like to end this series on a very high-note as may be this is his last series against Australia.

VIRAT KOHLI: Virat looks in good form as he has piled up 141 runs with an average of 70.5. Kohli was criticized for his bad form against England but he came back really well and played a magnificent innings in Nagpur Test and continued that form in Chennai as well. In Hyderabad, he ran out of partners and probably missed out on one more ton. With Pujara and Kohli peaking at the right time, it takes away burden off the shoulders of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

HARBHAJAN SINGH: Turbanator is now in his own backyard and looks all set to haunt the Aussies with his “Doosra”. Harbhajan has been looking more of a supporting bowler rather than a senior pro but his home ground might get the best out of him and like 2001 series he might again run through the Australian batting line-up.

ISHANT SHARMA: Ishant has bowled his heart out in the first two Tests but has not been among the wickets. He can be very effective on the bouncy wicket of Mohali as he has a decent record on this surface. He has played three Tests on this ground and has picked up nine wickets with an average of 30.70

AUSTRALIA

MICHAEL CLARKE: The Lone Warrior of Australian team has been doing exceedingly well in this series. He has amassed 268 runs so far in his four outings with one century and one half-century. He has been facing tough times because of the off-field controversies. But he is not bogged down by such incidents and is looking confident to lead his side with example.

DAVID WARNER: Daredevil Opener has looked out of touch till now but he would like to make the most of in this Test as ball will come nicely on to the bat because of much more bounce off the wicket. He has scored just one-half century till now and has an average of 28.50. Player of his caliber can change the course of the game in one session and he should attack if he wants to outplay Indian bowlers.

MOISES HENRIQUES: He has played two brilliant knocks till now but neither were they match-winning nor match-saving. He has been carrying a lot of pressure at a very early stage of his career. His batting skills are good but his bowling has been a sign of worry. He has picked up a single wicket in this series with an average of 93 which is just way too much for the team going through the crisis.

XAVIER DOHERTY: Xavier did well but fell short of luck on the second day of the second Test. He could have picked up the wickets of Murali Vijay and Chetashwar Pujara quiet cheaply if slip fielder would have been more active but nevertheless a new match will bring him much more opportunities and make him count.

BRAD HADDIN: Brad Haddin has been called as a replacement from Australia for Matthew Wade who got injured while practicing in the nets. Haddin can provide that much needed stability lower down the order and his experience will surely come handy. Maybe the changes made in squad might change the fortunes of Aussies in the next two Tests.

By Amit Chopra
Indian Sports News Network