5 players to watch out for in the 3rd Test between India and Australia

#3 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is India’s most reliable bowler in the Test series in the absence of veteran seamer Ishant Sharma. Now, with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav also ruled out due to injuries, Bumrah will have to step up his game as he will be responsible to lead India’s pace attack.

Bumrah has picked up eight wickets in the series so far at an average of 23.63. His six wickets at the MCG were instrumental in scripting the historic win for India.

That winning feeling 🙌🏼💯So proud of everyone for coming together and pushing to make this win possible! There’s nothing better than ending 2020 on a high. pic.twitter.com/KXsrxVqahE

— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) December 29, 2020

David Warner's battle against Bumrah will be a special contest at the SCG.

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#2 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

A lot was expected from Ajinkya Rahane in the absence of Virat Kohli in the second Test and the right-handed batsman didn't disappoint. The task had become even more daunting after the shattering loss in Adelaide.

Nonetheless, Ajinkya Rahane not only showed his smarts with captaincy but also shone with the bat, scoring a fine century in the first innings to lead India's charge. At possibly one of the worst times to take over as a captain, he produced a masterclass.

Rahane would like to keep going at the SCG and lead India from the front once again.

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#1 Steve Smith

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is probably the best Test player of the current era. Him winning the ICC Test Player of the Decade accolade is a testament to the fact. The Australian has scored 7237 runs in Tests, including 26 centuries, at an astonishing average of 61.33.

🇦🇺 STEVE SMITH is the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade 👏👏🏏 7040 Test runs in the #ICCAwards period🅰️ 65.79 average ➜ Highest in top 50💯 26 hundreds, 28 fiftiesUnique, relentless and unbelievably consistent 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UlXvHaFbDz

— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2020

Although Smith has not been among runs in the series so far, having managed just 10 runs at an average of 3.33, we can never write him off.

The Indian bowlers have done well against him in the series, but we all know it is difficult to keep Smith at bay for long. He will be looking to go hard at the Indians at the SCG.