India vs Australia 2017: All you need to know about the third Test in Ranchi

#3 Injuries force Australia re-jig

Pat Cummins has flown in to replace the injured Mitchell Starc

As they often say, extreme situations evoke extreme measures. With the pitch rendering the second seamer surplus to the team’s requirements, India could opt for three spinners and retain Umesh Yadav as the solitary pacer. In such case, Kuldeep Yadav appears likely to get the nod ahead of Jayant Yadav.

The visitors have to make at least two changes to cover for the injury-enforced departures of Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc. Taking the conditions into account, Glenn Maxwell may sneak into the Test eleven for the first time since November 2014. There is also plenty of anticipation surrounding Pat Cummins’ re-entry into the game’s longest format.

Probable XI

India

Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav

Australia

Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Steven Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood