It has been a&nbsp;gruelling&nbsp;tour of Australia for the Indian cricket team and it got worse when the visitors faced difficult quarantine hurdles upon their arrival in Brisbane as they were not given access to the gym, swimming pool and the lift.&nbsp;The development forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)&nbsp;to intervene. Now, the situation has been resolved as the Indian team has been provided access to the gym, swimming pool and the lift whereas room service is also expected to be available before the end of the day.&nbsp;

The Indian team was even not provided room service in the Brisbane hotel which forced them to clean their own toilets and make their own beds. After playing through pain in the Sydney Test, the Indian team needs to have proper rest and facilities available to recover as they are an already depleted squad due to&nbsp;injury and can’t afford any other.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/varun-aaron-hospitalised-for-laryngitis-pulls-out-of-syed-mushtaq-ali-t20-356414" hreflang="en">Varun Aaron hospitalised for laryngitis, pulls out of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20</a>

According to India Today, the BCCI president and secretary Jay Shah got it touch with the Cricket Australia officials in a bid to make the basic facilities available for the visitors. According to the report,&nbsp;the BCCI had a word with captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Ravi Shastri to get first-hand information.&nbsp;

With just a couple of days to go for the fourth and final Test in Brisbane, the Indian cricket team is looking to make as much recovery as possible after battling it out for five days in Brisbane. The visitors may field a few inexperienced players with most of the senior players injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/absolute-rubbish-langer-goes-into-bat-for-paine-smith-356397" hreflang="en">'Absolute rubbish' - Langer goes into bat for Paine, Smith</a>

Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the series while Hanuma Vihari it out as well. Ravichandran Ashwin is a doubt as is the case with&nbsp;Jasprit&nbsp;Bumrah&nbsp;and Mayank Agarwal. Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar and T Natarajan are in the fray to play in the Brisbane Test against Australia,&nbsp;&nbsp;

The fourth Test between India and Australia starts from January 15 at the Gabba in Brisbane.&nbsp;

It has been a gruelling tour of Australia for the Indian cricket team and it got worse when the visitors faced difficult quarantine hurdles upon their arrival in Brisbane as they were not given access to the gym, swimming pool and the lift.

It has been a gruelling tour of Australia for the Indian cricket team and it got worse when the visitors faced difficult quarantine hurdles upon their arrival in Brisbane as they were not given access to the gym, swimming pool and the lift. The development forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene. Now, the situation has been resolved as the Indian team has been provided access to the gym, swimming pool and the lift whereas room service is also expected to be available before the end of the day. The Indian team was even not provided room service in the Brisbane hotel which forced them to clean their own toilets and make their own beds. After playing through pain in the Sydney Test, the Indian team needs to have proper rest and facilities available to recover as they are an already depleted squad due to injury and can’t afford any other. ALSO READ: Varun Aaron hospitalised for laryngitis, pulls out of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 According to India Today, the BCCI president and secretary Jay Shah got it touch with the Cricket Australia officials in a bid to make the basic facilities available for the visitors. According to the report, the BCCI had a word with captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Ravi Shastri to get first-hand information. With just a couple of days to go for the fourth and final Test in Brisbane, the Indian cricket team is looking to make as much recovery as possible after battling it out for five days in Brisbane. The visitors may field a few inexperienced players with most of the senior players injured. ALSO READ: 'Absolute rubbish' - Langer goes into bat for Paine, Smith Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the series while Hanuma Vihari it out as well. Ravichandran Ashwin is a doubt as is the case with Jasprit Bumrah and Mayank Agarwal. Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar and T Natarajan are in the fray to play in the Brisbane Test against Australia, The fourth Test between India and Australia starts from January 15 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

BCCI intervention helps Team India get swimming pool, gym, housekeeping staff access in Brisbane

In what comes as a huge blow to the injury-plagued Indian cricket team, ace speedster&nbsp;Jasprit&nbsp;Bumrah&nbsp;is doubtful for the fourth Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 15, due to an&nbsp;abdominal&nbsp;strain.&nbsp;

Even Mayank Agarwal, tipped to be Hanuma Vihari’s replacement in the playing XI for the Brisbane Test,&nbsp;was hit on the hands and there are chances that it could result in a hairline fracture. If confirmed, then Mayank will be ruled out of the Brisbane Test.&nbsp;

Ravichandran Ashwin, who battled back spasm, has aggravated the strain after battling for three hours on Day 5 to save the Sydney Test.&nbsp;

Bumrah&nbsp;sustained the abdominal strain during the third Test in Sydney but continued to bowl to keep India in the game. Reportedly,&nbsp;Bumrah’s&nbsp;scan reports have shown a strain and Indian team management doesn’t want him to aggravate the injury with home series against England&nbsp;lined up.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-3rd-test-bruised-and-broken-but-sydney-was-conquered-356068" hreflang="en">Bruised and broken but Sydney was 'conquered'</a>

The Indian team is relieved to know that&nbsp;Bumrah&nbsp;hasn’t suffered a tear but are in fear that the Indian pacer&nbsp;might break down in the middle of Brisbane Test if he is given the nod to play.&nbsp;

If&nbsp;Bumrah&nbsp;doesn’t start, then two-Test old Mohammed Siraj will lead the Indian bowling attack which is likely to feature Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan in Brisbane Test.&nbsp;

With injured KL Rahul out and Hanuma Vihari suffering a grade 2 hamstring tear, there are no middle-order batsmen left in the reserves.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-captain-tim-paine-apologises-for-sledging-against-ashwin-in-sydney-test-356168" hreflang="en">Australian captain Tim Paine apologises for sledging against Ashwin in Sydney Test</a>

The two available batsmen are Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. If Agarwal’s scans reveal that it is a bruise and not a fracture then&nbsp;it could well be Prithvi Shaw batting at number three followed by&nbsp;Cheteshwar&nbsp;Pujara,&nbsp;Ajhinkya&nbsp;Rahane and Agarwal himself at number six.&nbsp;

With series locked at 1-1, India and&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;will take the field at the Gabba in Brisbane for the decider on January 15.&nbsp;

In what comes as a huge blow to the injury-plagued Indian cricket team, ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for the fourth Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 15, due to an abdominal strain.

In what comes as a huge blow to the injury-plagued Indian cricket team, ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for the fourth Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 15, due to an abdominal strain. Even Mayank Agarwal, tipped to be Hanuma Vihari’s replacement in the playing XI for the Brisbane Test, was hit on the hands and there are chances that it could result in a hairline fracture. If confirmed, then Mayank will be ruled out of the Brisbane Test. Ravichandran Ashwin, who battled back spasm, has aggravated the strain after battling for three hours on Day 5 to save the Sydney Test. Bumrah sustained the abdominal strain during the third Test in Sydney but continued to bowl to keep India in the game. Reportedly, Bumrah’s scan reports have shown a strain and Indian team management doesn’t want him to aggravate the injury with home series against England lined up. ALSO READ: Bruised and broken but Sydney was 'conquered' The Indian team is relieved to know that Bumrah hasn’t suffered a tear but are in fear that the Indian pacer might break down in the middle of Brisbane Test if he is given the nod to play. If Bumrah doesn’t start, then two-Test old Mohammed Siraj will lead the Indian bowling attack which is likely to feature Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan in Brisbane Test. With injured KL Rahul out and Hanuma Vihari suffering a grade 2 hamstring tear, there are no middle-order batsmen left in the reserves. ALSO READ: Australian captain Tim Paine apologises for sledging against Ashwin in Sydney Test The two available batsmen are Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. If Agarwal’s scans reveal that it is a bruise and not a fracture then it could well be Prithvi Shaw batting at number three followed by Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajhinkya Rahane and Agarwal himself at number six. With series locked at 1-1, India and Australia will take the field at the Gabba in Brisbane for the decider on January 15.

Jasprit Bumrah doubtful for Brisbane Test as injury worries grow for Team India

The fourth and final Test will go ahead "as planned" in Brisbane this week, Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said Monday, after agreement from India who had been insisting they avoid quarantine in the city.

The location was thrown into doubt with India reportedly unhappy about having to undergo another round of isolation and a snap city-wide lockdown after a case of the infectious UK strain of Covid-19 was detected in Brisbane.

But with the stay-at-home orders lifted Monday, Hockley said it was all systems go.

"The fourth Test will be at the Gabba, as planned," he told commercial radio SEN, with play due to start on Friday.

"On the basis of yesterday's discussions we are full steam ahead to play the fourth Test at the Gabba and really looking forward to it."

Hockley said he had spoken to Queensland state health officials and India's cricketing governing body to receive the green light.

"I had a call last night from the BCCI secretary, very late last night, and he confirmed we are good to travel to Brisbane on Tuesday," Hockley said.

"We're extremely grateful for their support," he said of the India side.

Queensland health officials insisted Monday both teams would still be required to spend 14 days in quarantine.

Hockley said Cricket Australia had arranged a charter plane for the players, who will stay in a Brisbane hotel retained "exclusively" for their use.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also confirmed the Test would go ahead, but with restrictions on crowd numbers.

"The Gabba will be filled to&nbsp;half the capacity and masks are&nbsp;mandatory for entering and for&nbsp;leaving and moving around the&nbsp;stadium," she said.

The tour has been hit by several virus-related problems, with spectator numbers severely limited in the current Sydney Test due to an outbreak in the city.

The second Test in Melbourne was named a possible Covid-19 spreading event, and five Indian players were caught apparently breaching the biosecurity bubble by eating at a restaurant in the city.

It has also been marred by allegations Indian players were subjected to racist abuse by some spectators in Sydney.

The series was level at 1-1 going into the final day of the third Test, after India bounced back from their opening loss to beat the hosts in the Boxing Day Test.

The fourth and final Test will go ahead "as planned" in Brisbane this week, Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said Monday, after agreement from India who had been insisting they avoid quarantine in the city.

The fourth and final Test will go ahead "as planned" in Brisbane this week, Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said Monday, after agreement from India who had been insisting they avoid quarantine in the city. The location was thrown into doubt with India reportedly unhappy about having to undergo another round of isolation and a snap city-wide lockdown after a case of the infectious UK strain of Covid-19 was detected in Brisbane. But with the stay-at-home orders lifted Monday, Hockley said it was all systems go. "The fourth Test will be at the Gabba, as planned," he told commercial radio SEN, with play due to start on Friday. "On the basis of yesterday's discussions we are full steam ahead to play the fourth Test at the Gabba and really looking forward to it." Hockley said he had spoken to Queensland state health officials and India's cricketing governing body to receive the green light. "I had a call last night from the BCCI secretary, very late last night, and he confirmed we are good to travel to Brisbane on Tuesday," Hockley said. "We're extremely grateful for their support," he said of the India side. Queensland health officials insisted Monday both teams would still be required to spend 14 days in quarantine. Hockley said Cricket Australia had arranged a charter plane for the players, who will stay in a Brisbane hotel retained "exclusively" for their use. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also confirmed the Test would go ahead, but with restrictions on crowd numbers. "The Gabba will be filled to half the capacity and masks are mandatory for entering and for leaving and moving around the stadium," she said. The tour has been hit by several virus-related problems, with spectator numbers severely limited in the current Sydney Test due to an outbreak in the city. The second Test in Melbourne was named a possible Covid-19 spreading event, and five Indian players were caught apparently breaching the biosecurity bubble by eating at a restaurant in the city. It has also been marred by allegations Indian players were subjected to racist abuse by some spectators in Sydney. The series was level at 1-1 going into the final day of the third Test, after India bounced back from their opening loss to beat the hosts in the Boxing Day Test.

Final Australia-India Test gets go ahead at Brisbane's Gabba

Former American football player Steve Gleason once said, “from adversity, heroes are born”. And the Indian cricket team replicated the same in what will be remembered as one of the most memorable draws in the world of Test cricket. Bruised, battered, wrote off, hardly a few gave India a chance to survive the entire Day 5 of the Sydney Test, against a world-class Australian bowling attack, after losing both the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – a day before.&nbsp;

India lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the second over of Day 5 and suddenly social media went abuzz, especially the Australian fans. Surely, it was a matter of time. India still had their modern-day wall, on Rahul Dravid’s birthday, to pull off a great escape. But what about others? Almost everyone was injured. But remember what Gleason said?&nbsp;

Cheteshwar Pujara was criticised by a section of fans and pundits, over his strike-rate and ‘intent’ ahead of the second innings in Sydney. The same Pujara, whose strike-rate and ‘intent’ was richly praised when India registered their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil in 2018/19. Pujara went into his bubble and did what he does the best. Defend. With a strike-rate of 37.56, Pujara batted with heart and grit as he faced 205 deliveries to score 77 runs. No one questioned his ‘intent’ this time as with every delivery which Pujara left or blocked, India were crawling towards their target. Do remember, what Gleason once said...

<img alt="Pujara" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1e13c75-1f89-4eeb-8d34-f3a44dabeabc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YF2MB.jpg" />

After Rahane’s dismissal, walked in Rishabh Pant, who himself has struggled to score consistent runs of late. At a time when everyone expected Hanuma Vihari to come out, the youngster took the centre-stage. He defended and left well and then took on the Australian bowlers, which pushed the hosts on the back-foot, despite being in charge of the game. What followed was a scintillating show of pure stroke-playing. Yes, he was dropped by Tim Paine. But surely, the youngster deserved a bit of luck after what has been a tough last year for him. Oh yes, even Pant was not fully fit. He had coped a blow on his elbow and was unable to keep wickets in the second innings. He was even struggling to lift the water bottle during the drinks break. Even though Steve Smith may have scuff up Pant’s guard, he couldn’t scuff up Pant’s heart and resilience. He scored a blockbuster 97 off 118 deliveries. Remember what Gleason said?&nbsp;

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Hard work truly pays off 💪. Happy to contribute to the team. Well done boys. 👏 On to Brisbane. ⏭️ <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a> <a href="https://t.co/RIhpNUsFoI">pic.twitter.com/RIhpNUsFoI</a>
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17/status/1348545798649204737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Hanuma Vihari, whose spot in the playing XI was questioned by many, surely would have hung around for a bit. But then who can predict injuries? Vihari pulled a hamstring and was down in immense pain. The physio and medical staff kept on attending and giving him heavy dosage of painkillers. The 27-year-old, who was getting starts but was failing to register a big score, didn’t even flinch once in all the 161 deliveries he faced.&nbsp;Remember what Gleason said?&nbsp;

<img alt="Vihari" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ab8abbb2-0e7a-41b4-b9e2-9bb5c729c434" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YH9H3%20%281%29.jpg" />

Ravindra Jadeja was out with a fractured thumb. Indian pacer Navdeep Saini was spotted peeling off a banana for Jadeja in the stands. How could have Jadeja faced the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood when he was not even able to peel off a banana? Well, that will remain a question forever. &nbsp;

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A bit of teamwork, Saini peeling the banana for Jadeja 😅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/O0KYKZT1a9">pic.twitter.com/O0KYKZT1a9</a>
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/7Cricket/status/1348491515467870209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been one of the standout performers of the series, tweaked his back and wasn’t even able to tie his shoelaces (according to his wife) ahead of the game on Day 5 of the Sydney Test. How did he face the likes of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, or even take a giant stride out to tackle Nathan Lyon? Well, he did, for 128 deliveries. Remember what Gleason said? &nbsp;

<img alt="Ashwin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d4aefd8-6613-4f6c-883b-3f047df775c0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YH9XR.jpg" />

Almost all the Indian players have been stuck in bio-secure bubbles since the preparation for the Indian Premier League 2020 began. And they have obliged with all the bio-secure bubble protocols that have been put in place by Cricket Australia and the Australian government so far. There have been controversies, harsh reportage after the ‘Adelaide Horror’ but this Indian team has shown what real toughness is. The Indian players had to face racist chants from the crowd but they held their fort with courage and determination. &nbsp;

<img alt="Siraj" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec3e810a-0f90-4882-8f36-2b20223d7991" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YG7MH.jpg" />

After suffering the worst Test defeat in Adelaide, they bounced back strong in Melbourne to level the series. Surely, many must have thought this is the only win they can get in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. What can this Indian team do without their talismanic captain Virat Kohli, ace speedsters Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav? Even KL Rahul was ruled out. Let's not even bring Ishant Sharma, who has been the go-to bowler for India in Test cricket, into the conversation. Yes, he was ruled out of the Test series with an injury before the players flew Down Under. But remember, what Gleason said?&nbsp;

India may not have won the Test match but this draw is no less than a win for Indian fans and as captain, Rahane said after the Sydney Test: "This was as good as winning a Test match". Ask the physios, the masseurs, everyone accompanying the Indian team, even the fans sitting at home,&nbsp;they will say this draw is indeed a win.

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Moments to cherish for a long time 👏👏 
 
Visuals from inside the dressing room as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> pull off a remarkable draw at the SCG 🏟️ 
 
Exclusive interview coming up shortly on <a href="https://t.co/uKFHYdKZLG">https://t.co/uKFHYdKZLG</a>. Stay tuned! <a href="https://t.co/7dE0OcWqBb">pic.twitter.com/7dE0OcWqBb</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1348583441139257344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The final Test between India and Australia will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane – a ground where the Aussies last lost a Test match in the year 1988. And surely, everyone must be&nbsp;already ruling&nbsp;out this injury-plagued Indian team. But do you remember, what Gleason once said?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Former American football player Steve Gleason once said, “from adversity, heroes are born”. And the Indian cricket team replicated the same in what will be remembered as one of the most memorable draws in the world of Test cricket.

Former American football player Steve Gleason once said, “from adversity, heroes are born”. And the Indian cricket team replicated the same in what will be remembered as one of the most memorable draws in the world of Test cricket. Bruised, battered, wrote off, hardly a few gave India a chance to survive the entire Day 5 of the Sydney Test, against a world-class Australian bowling attack, after losing both the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – a day before. India lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the second over of Day 5 and suddenly social media went abuzz, especially the Australian fans. Surely, it was a matter of time. India still had their modern-day wall, on Rahul Dravid’s birthday, to pull off a great escape. But what about others? Almost everyone was injured. But remember what Gleason said? Cheteshwar Pujara was criticised by a section of fans and pundits, over his strike-rate and ‘intent’ ahead of the second innings in Sydney. The same Pujara, whose strike-rate and ‘intent’ was richly praised when India registered their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil in 2018/19. Pujara went into his bubble and did what he does the best. Defend. With a strike-rate of 37.56, Pujara batted with heart and grit as he faced 205 deliveries to score 77 runs. No one questioned his ‘intent’ this time as with every delivery which Pujara left or blocked, India were crawling towards their target. Do remember, what Gleason once said... After Rahane’s dismissal, walked in Rishabh Pant, who himself has struggled to score consistent runs of late. At a time when everyone expected Hanuma Vihari to come out, the youngster took the centre-stage. He defended and left well and then took on the Australian bowlers, which pushed the hosts on the back-foot, despite being in charge of the game. What followed was a scintillating show of pure stroke-playing. Yes, he was dropped by Tim Paine. But surely, the youngster deserved a bit of luck after what has been a tough last year for him. Oh yes, even Pant was not fully fit. He had coped a blow on his elbow and was unable to keep wickets in the second innings. He was even struggling to lift the water bottle during the drinks break. Even though Steve Smith may have scuff up Pant’s guard, he couldn’t scuff up Pant’s heart and resilience. He scored a blockbuster 97 off 118 deliveries. Remember what Gleason said? Hard work truly pays off 💪. Happy to contribute to the team. Well done boys. 👏 On to Brisbane. ⏭️ @BCCI pic.twitter.com/RIhpNUsFoI — Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) January 11, 2021 × Hanuma Vihari, whose spot in the playing XI was questioned by many, surely would have hung around for a bit. But then who can predict injuries? Vihari pulled a hamstring and was down in immense pain. The physio and medical staff kept on attending and giving him heavy dosage of painkillers. The 27-year-old, who was getting starts but was failing to register a big score, didn’t even flinch once in all the 161 deliveries he faced. Remember what Gleason said? Ravindra Jadeja was out with a fractured thumb. Indian pacer Navdeep Saini was spotted peeling off a banana for Jadeja in the stands. How could have Jadeja faced the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood when he was not even able to peel off a banana? Well, that will remain a question forever. A bit of teamwork, Saini peeling the banana for Jadeja 😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/O0KYKZT1a9 — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 11, 2021 × Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been one of the standout performers of the series, tweaked his back and wasn’t even able to tie his shoelaces (according to his wife) ahead of the game on Day 5 of the Sydney Test. How did he face the likes of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, or even take a giant stride out to tackle Nathan Lyon? Well, he did, for 128 deliveries. Remember what Gleason said? Almost all the Indian players have been stuck in bio-secure bubbles since the preparation for the Indian Premier League 2020 began. And they have obliged with all the bio-secure bubble protocols that have been put in place by Cricket Australia and the Australian government so far. There have been controversies, harsh reportage after the ‘Adelaide Horror’ but this Indian team has shown what real toughness is. The Indian players had to face racist chants from the crowd but they held their fort with courage and determination. After suffering the worst Test defeat in Adelaide, they bounced back strong in Melbourne to level the series. Surely, many must have thought this is the only win they can get in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. What can this Indian team do without their talismanic captain Virat Kohli, ace speedsters Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav? Even KL Rahul was ruled out. Let's not even bring Ishant Sharma, who has been the go-to bowler for India in Test cricket, into the conversation. Yes, he was ruled out of the Test series with an injury before the players flew Down Under. But remember, what Gleason said? India may not have won the Test match but this draw is no less than a win for Indian fans and as captain, Rahane said after the Sydney Test: "This was as good as winning a Test match". Ask the physios, the masseurs, everyone accompanying the Indian team, even the fans sitting at home, they will say this draw is indeed a win. Moments to cherish for a long time 👏👏 Visuals from inside the dressing room as #TeamIndia pull off a remarkable draw at the SCG 🏟️ Exclusive interview coming up shortly on https://t.co/uKFHYdKZLG. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/7dE0OcWqBb — BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2021 × The final Test between India and Australia will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane – a ground where the Aussies last lost a Test match in the year 1988. And surely, everyone must be already ruling out this injury-plagued Indian team. But do you remember, what Gleason once said?

Bruised and broken but Sydney was 'conquered'

Young Indian batsman&nbsp;Shubman&nbsp;Gill has already impressed many with his stroke-play and solid technique in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. Gill, who made his Test debut&nbsp;in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, registered his first Test half-century on Day 2 of the Sydney Test.&nbsp;Gill’s batting and maturity impressed many including former cricketers and fans as they hailed the youngster as one of the best young talents in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Gill for his solid defence as well as attacking stroke-play.

"I wish Shubman Gill could have carried on from that half-century to century. What we saw in this innings confirms that he is one of India's brightest prospects. He got behind the line, he has got wonderful ray for shots, as I said, he played some sparkling and spanking shots but basically, the way he got behind the line of the ball was so, so impressive and that is the thing actually you want to look at the opening batsman, how quickly and how confidently they get behind the line of the ball. Shubman Gill's defence was as good as his attacking batting and that is why I think he has got a big career ahead of him," Gavaskar said on Sony Network after the end of Day 2.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/whos-your-favourite-player-marnus-labuschagne-involved-in-a-banter-with-shubman-gill-355398" hreflang="en">'Who’s your favourite player?': Marnus Labuschagne involved in a banter with Shubman Gill</a>

<h2 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{33263d25-4ad8-4c68-b7d4-df7a02a6e26e}{108}" paraid="1727118156" >WATCH: Shubman Gill impresses with quality stroke-play against Australia</h2>

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Baby 🐐<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shubmangill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shubmangill</a> <a href="https://t.co/YjK9ZzkTcJ">pic.twitter.com/YjK9ZzkTcJ</a>
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Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey, on-air, said Gill is becoming his&nbsp;favourite&nbsp;player.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Whereas&nbsp;Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik, who has seen Gill in close quarters,&nbsp;wrote on Twitter “a star has arrived”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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A ⭐️ has arrived. Good start Gilly! You looked good the whole time. Don’t be too hard on yourself about the dismissal.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/WHVyN3J0QY">pic.twitter.com/WHVyN3J0QY</a>
— DK (@DineshKarthik) <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik/status/1347437041772945409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Former&nbsp;England captain Michael Vaughan termed Gill as the “next big thing in Test cricket”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“You could argue @RealShubmanGill is the next big thing in Test Cricket ... My prediction is he is .... #AUSvIND,” tweeted Michael Vaughan.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sydney-test-smiths-27th-test-ton-gills-class-steal-thunders-as-day-2-ends-in-balance-355357" hreflang="en">Sydney Test: Smith's 27th Test ton, Gill's class steal thunders as Day 2 ends in balance</a>

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You could argue <a href="https://twitter.com/RealShubmanGill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealShubmanGill</a> is the next big thing in Test Cricket ... My prediction is he is .... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a>
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1347486816987996160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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While VVS Laxman was all praise for Gill’s batting technique and clarity of thought.&nbsp;

“For someone playing only his 2nd test match @RealShubmanGill looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid&nbsp;defence, positive stroke play and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats. #AUSvsIND,” Laxman said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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For someone playing only his 2nd test match <a href="https://twitter.com/RealShubmanGill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealShubmanGill</a> looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid defence, positive stroke play and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvsIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvsIND</a>
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) <a href="https://twitter.com/VVSLaxman281/status/1347418499069562882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag lavished praise on Gill as he said the youngster looks the real deal.&nbsp;

“Excellent performance by Jadeja with the ball and in the field with taht brilliant runout.&nbsp;Shubman&nbsp;Gill looks the real deal. Excellent composure and loved his backfoot play. But really enjoyed this fun&nbsp;moment,&nbsp;courtesy&nbsp;Bumrah,” tweeted Sehwag.&nbsp;

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Excellent performance by Jadeja with the ball and in the field with taht brilliant runout. Shubman Gill looks the real deal. Excellent composure and loved his backfoot play. But really enjoyed this fun moment , courtesy Bumrah <a href="https://t.co/7Ts7vhbZzW">pic.twitter.com/7Ts7vhbZzW</a>
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) <a href="https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1347470383746740224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, who is one of the commentators in the ongoing series, branded Gill as “potential world-class player”.&nbsp;

“Such a nice satisfying day of Test cricket to watch. Saw excellence in batting through&nbsp;Steve Smith. Excellence in fielding thanks to Jadeja and potential world-class player of the future in&nbsp;Shubman&nbsp;Gill,” said Manjrekar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Such a nice satisfying day of Test cricket to watch. Saw excellence in batting through Steve Smith. Excellence in fielding thanks to Jadeja and potential world class player of the future in Shubman Gill. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a>
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/1347478295852421128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Most elegant opening pair of recent times? Yes sir! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RohithSharma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RohithSharma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShubhamGill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShubhamGill</a>
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) <a href="https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1347454513150455808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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He is just starting out but Shubman Gill is the real thing.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/1347483434826878983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/imjadeja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imjadeja</a> was all praise for <a href="https://twitter.com/RealShubmanGill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealShubmanGill</a> after the youngster scored his maiden Test fifty at the SCG. 👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/wTTGu3HwB3">pic.twitter.com/wTTGu3HwB3</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1347486330373038081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Happy Shubman Gill day everyone <a href="https://t.co/9STjcC8eb8">https://t.co/9STjcC8eb8</a>
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) <a href="https://twitter.com/scottbstyris/status/1347422757051461632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Shubman Gill looks the part,times the ball so well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a>
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZAbbasOfficial/status/1347429468860723200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Gill became the youngest Indian opener to register a half-century on Australian soil in Test cricket. However, he was soon sent packing by Pat Cummins for 50.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the end of Day 2, India were still behind by 242 runs as the visitors ended the day with 96/2 on the board.&nbsp;

Young Indian batsman Shubman Gill has already impressed many with his stroke-play and solid technique in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. Gill, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, registered his first Test half-century on Day 2 of the Sydney Test.

Young Indian batsman Shubman Gill has already impressed many with his stroke-play and solid technique in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. Gill, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, registered his first Test half-century on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. Gill’s batting and maturity impressed many including former cricketers and fans as they hailed the youngster as one of the best young talents in the world. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Gill for his solid defence as well as attacking stroke-play. "I wish Shubman Gill could have carried on from that half-century to century. What we saw in this innings confirms that he is one of India's brightest prospects. He got behind the line, he has got wonderful ray for shots, as I said, he played some sparkling and spanking shots but basically, the way he got behind the line of the ball was so, so impressive and that is the thing actually you want to look at the opening batsman, how quickly and how confidently they get behind the line of the ball. Shubman Gill's defence was as good as his attacking batting and that is why I think he has got a big career ahead of him," Gavaskar said on Sony Network after the end of Day 2. ALSO READ: 'Who’s your favourite player?': Marnus Labuschagne involved in a banter with Shubman Gill WATCH: Shubman Gill impresses with quality stroke-play against Australia Baby 🐐#Shubmangill pic.twitter.com/YjK9ZzkTcJ — ✨☬ (@Kourageous__) January 8, 2021 × Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey, on-air, said Gill is becoming his favourite player. Whereas Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik, who has seen Gill in close quarters, wrote on Twitter “a star has arrived”. A ⭐️ has arrived. Good start Gilly! You looked good the whole time. Don’t be too hard on yourself about the dismissal.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WHVyN3J0QY — DK (@DineshKarthik) January 8, 2021 × Former England captain Michael Vaughan termed Gill as the “next big thing in Test cricket” “You could argue @RealShubmanGill is the next big thing in Test Cricket ... My prediction is he is .... #AUSvIND,” tweeted Michael Vaughan. ALSO READ: Sydney Test: Smith's 27th Test ton, Gill's class steal thunders as Day 2 ends in balance You could argue @RealShubmanGill is the next big thing in Test Cricket ... My prediction is he is .... #AUSvIND — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 8, 2021 × While VVS Laxman was all praise for Gill’s batting technique and clarity of thought. “For someone playing only his 2nd test match @RealShubmanGill looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid defence, positive stroke play and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats. #AUSvsIND,” Laxman said in a tweet. For someone playing only his 2nd test match @RealShubmanGill looks very assured at the wicket. Good solid defence, positive stroke play and clarity of thought. Definitely has a very bright future for India in all the 3 formats. #AUSvsIND — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 8, 2021 × Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag lavished praise on Gill as he said the youngster looks the real deal. “Excellent performance by Jadeja with the ball and in the field with taht brilliant runout. Shubman Gill looks the real deal. Excellent composure and loved his backfoot play. But really enjoyed this fun moment, courtesy Bumrah,” tweeted Sehwag. Excellent performance by Jadeja with the ball and in the field with taht brilliant runout. Shubman Gill looks the real deal. Excellent composure and loved his backfoot play. But really enjoyed this fun moment , courtesy Bumrah pic.twitter.com/7Ts7vhbZzW — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 8, 2021 × Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, who is one of the commentators in the ongoing series, branded Gill as “potential world-class player”. “Such a nice satisfying day of Test cricket to watch. Saw excellence in batting through Steve Smith. Excellence in fielding thanks to Jadeja and potential world-class player of the future in Shubman Gill,” said Manjrekar. Such a nice satisfying day of Test cricket to watch. Saw excellence in batting through Steve Smith. Excellence in fielding thanks to Jadeja and potential world class player of the future in Shubman Gill. #AUSvIND — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 8, 2021 × Most elegant opening pair of recent times? Yes sir! #RohithSharma #ShubhamGill — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 8, 2021 × He is just starting out but Shubman Gill is the real thing. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 8, 2021 × .@imjadeja was all praise for @RealShubmanGill after the youngster scored his maiden Test fifty at the SCG. 👏👏#TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/wTTGu3HwB3 — BCCI (@BCCI) January 8, 2021 × Happy Shubman Gill day everyone https://t.co/9STjcC8eb8 — Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) January 8, 2021 × Shubman Gill looks the part,times the ball so well. #AUSvIND — zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 8, 2021 × Gill became the youngest Indian opener to register a half-century on Australian soil in Test cricket. However, he was soon sent packing by Pat Cummins for 50. At the end of Day 2, India were still behind by 242 runs as the visitors ended the day with 96/2 on the board.

'He's the next big thing' - Cricket fraternity left awestruck by Shubman Gill after maiden half-century

Australia and India resume their "arm-wrestle" Test series at 1-1 Thursday after a build-up marred by a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney and concerns over a potential biosecurity breach by the Indian team.

The four-Test series is finely poised after India, crushed by eight wickets in Adelaide -- where they fell for their record low of 36 -- emphatically bounced back in Melbourne.

Spearheaded by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who is deputising during Virat Kohli's paternity leave, they levelled the series with their own eight-wicket win.

"The first two Tests have been tough cricket, it's 1-1 and that probably shows how close the series is," said Australia coach Justin Langer, describing the series as an "arm-wrestle".

"We are very, very determined to get out of the blocks hard on Thursday."

The series has also been eventful off the field with Sydney, which has raced to contain a new Covid-19 cluster, only confirmed as host of the third Test after the Melbourne game.

The Sydney Cricket Ground has slashed its available capacity from 50 to 25 percent -- about 10,000 fans -- after a public backlash over the potential health risks.

Separately, five Indian players were spotted dining inside a Melbourne restaurant, in apparent contravention of biosecurity protocols.

Australian officials have also played down reports claiming India are not keen on having the final Test in Brisbane, due to stricter quarantine arrangements there.

<h2>- Warner set for return -</h2>

The weather could affect plans for both teams, with showers forecast for Thursday and Friday.

Run-shy Australia are set to make at least one change, with David Warner expected to return after missing the first two Tests with a groin strain, while fellow opener Joe Burns has been dumped.

Warner's opening partner is still unknown. Will Pucovski has been given the all-clear from a concussion and could make his debut, although Marcus Harris is also waiting in the wings.

If either play, Matthew Wade would drop back to number five with Travis Head facing the axe.

"There's loyalty to all our players. And whatever way we go -- the hardest thing is... it's so hard to fit seven or eight into six," said Langer, when asked about Head.

But he stressed his batsmen must start putting more runs on the board, with the team failing to go past 200 during the series.

"We're addressing the issues. I think we got 200 in that second innings (in Melbourne), but any time you're not scoring over 200, you're looking at ways to improve." &nbsp;

<h2>- 'Five good days' -</h2>

After Melbourne, India coach Ravi Shastri hailed the team's turnaround as one of the great comebacks of all time, but the euphoria was short-lived.

Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini were all seen dining in a Melbourne restaurant, in what looked like a biosecurity breach.

But India's cricket board has taken no action so far, and after the entire touring party tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday, the five seem to be clear to play.

That would see Gill, who was highly impressive on debut in Melbourne, pad up again, while the explosive Pant will once more keep wicket.

Sharma only joined the team last week after a late injury-enforced arrival. But he was immediately made vice-captain, suggesting he too will play, potentially in place of the under-performing Mayank Agarwal.

There will be a new-look attack with Umesh Yadav out of the series after hurting his calf and T. Natarajan called up as a replacement. India were already without injured regulars Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.

Despite this, Shastri said last week they planned to stick with a five-bowler strategy.

He added that the key to their comeback in Melbourne was forgetting what happened in Adelaide, a trait they will take into Sydney.

"To beat a team like Australia, especially in Australia, there is no point having one good day or two good days," he said.

"You have got to have five good days if you have to beat them, as simple as that."

Australia and India resume their "arm-wrestle" Test series at 1-1 Thursday after a build-up marred by a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney and concerns over a potential biosecurity breach by the Indian team.

Australia and India resume their "arm-wrestle" Test series at 1-1 Thursday after a build-up marred by a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney and concerns over a potential biosecurity breach by the Indian team. The four-Test series is finely poised after India, crushed by eight wickets in Adelaide -- where they fell for their record low of 36 -- emphatically bounced back in Melbourne. Spearheaded by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who is deputising during Virat Kohli's paternity leave, they levelled the series with their own eight-wicket win. "The first two Tests have been tough cricket, it's 1-1 and that probably shows how close the series is," said Australia coach Justin Langer, describing the series as an "arm-wrestle". "We are very, very determined to get out of the blocks hard on Thursday." The series has also been eventful off the field with Sydney, which has raced to contain a new Covid-19 cluster, only confirmed as host of the third Test after the Melbourne game. The Sydney Cricket Ground has slashed its available capacity from 50 to 25 percent -- about 10,000 fans -- after a public backlash over the potential health risks. Separately, five Indian players were spotted dining inside a Melbourne restaurant, in apparent contravention of biosecurity protocols. Australian officials have also played down reports claiming India are not keen on having the final Test in Brisbane, due to stricter quarantine arrangements there. - Warner set for return - The weather could affect plans for both teams, with showers forecast for Thursday and Friday. Run-shy Australia are set to make at least one change, with David Warner expected to return after missing the first two Tests with a groin strain, while fellow opener Joe Burns has been dumped. Warner's opening partner is still unknown. Will Pucovski has been given the all-clear from a concussion and could make his debut, although Marcus Harris is also waiting in the wings. If either play, Matthew Wade would drop back to number five with Travis Head facing the axe. "There's loyalty to all our players. And whatever way we go -- the hardest thing is... it's so hard to fit seven or eight into six," said Langer, when asked about Head. But he stressed his batsmen must start putting more runs on the board, with the team failing to go past 200 during the series. "We're addressing the issues. I think we got 200 in that second innings (in Melbourne), but any time you're not scoring over 200, you're looking at ways to improve." - 'Five good days' - After Melbourne, India coach Ravi Shastri hailed the team's turnaround as one of the great comebacks of all time, but the euphoria was short-lived. Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini were all seen dining in a Melbourne restaurant, in what looked like a biosecurity breach. But India's cricket board has taken no action so far, and after the entire touring party tested negative for the coronavirus on Sunday, the five seem to be clear to play. That would see Gill, who was highly impressive on debut in Melbourne, pad up again, while the explosive Pant will once more keep wicket. Sharma only joined the team last week after a late injury-enforced arrival. But he was immediately made vice-captain, suggesting he too will play, potentially in place of the under-performing Mayank Agarwal. There will be a new-look attack with Umesh Yadav out of the series after hurting his calf and T. Natarajan called up as a replacement. India were already without injured regulars Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Despite this, Shastri said last week they planned to stick with a five-bowler strategy. He added that the key to their comeback in Melbourne was forgetting what happened in Adelaide, a trait they will take into Sydney. "To beat a team like Australia, especially in Australia, there is no point having one good day or two good days," he said. "You have got to have five good days if you have to beat them, as simple as that."

Australia, India resume 'arm-wrestle' as Covid dominates Test build-up

With the Indian team facing plenty of criticism from the Australian media after five players were placed in isolation for an alleged bio-secure bubble breach in Melbourne, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has lashed out at the Australian media as he said that they are trying to unsettle the Indian team after losing the Boxing Day Test by eight wickets.

Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini were asked to isolate after photographs and video of them dining at an indoor restaurant went viral on social media. However, the BCCI has continued to back its players. But some of the reactions coming in from Australian media and a handful of Australian politician have irked Ojha.

"Everybody knows Australians are bad losers. They are not able to take it (MCG defeat) despite five of our main players missing. Indian team is doing so well. They never expected the Indian team to win. They thought they could win, they were taken by surprise," Pragyan Ojha said on Sports Today.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-trolling-pakistan-team-new-zealand-fans-take-hilarious-dig-at-australias-steve-smith-and-joe-burns-354391" hreflang="en">After trolling Pakistan team, New Zealand fans take hilarious dig at Australia's Steve Smith and Joe Burns</a>

"I feel it's a big gimmick to take the pressure off Australia and try to get under the skin of the Indians. They don't know we exactly know what they are trying to do. The Indian team is relaxed, they know what to do and focused on the last 2 Tests," he added.

Meanwhile, the entire Indian contingent tested negative for the coronavirus and all the players left for Sydney from Melbourne on Monday.

"Rohit Sharma, he has had a 14-day hard quarantine, before that training at the NCA. I am very sure he is not a fool to come and just breach the protocols. Yes, at times, things look different. I am very sure, they know what the protocols are and they follow them," said Ojha speaking about the whole controversy.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/statement-portrays-indians-in-poor-light-bcci-rethinking-playing-in-brisbane-after-ros-bates-comments-354367" hreflang="en">'Statement portrays Indians in poor light' - BCCI rethinking playing in Brisbane after Ros Bates' comments</a>

"The bottom line is Australians are bad losers," he concluded.

With the four-match Test series firmly locked at 1-1, the third Test between India and Australia is set to start from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With the Indian team facing plenty of criticism from the Australian media after five players were placed in isolation for an alleged bio-secure bubble breach in Melbourne, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has lashed out at the Australian media as he said that they are trying to unsettle the Indian team after losing the Boxing Day Test by eight wickets.

With the Indian team facing plenty of criticism from the Australian media after five players were placed in isolation for an alleged bio-secure bubble breach in Melbourne, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has lashed out at the Australian media as he said that they are trying to unsettle the Indian team after losing the Boxing Day Test by eight wickets. Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini were asked to isolate after photographs and video of them dining at an indoor restaurant went viral on social media. However, the BCCI has continued to back its players. But some of the reactions coming in from Australian media and a handful of Australian politician have irked Ojha. "Everybody knows Australians are bad losers. They are not able to take it (MCG defeat) despite five of our main players missing. Indian team is doing so well. They never expected the Indian team to win. They thought they could win, they were taken by surprise," Pragyan Ojha said on Sports Today. ALSO READ: After trolling Pakistan team, New Zealand fans take hilarious dig at Australia's Steve Smith and Joe Burns "I feel it's a big gimmick to take the pressure off Australia and try to get under the skin of the Indians. They don't know we exactly know what they are trying to do. The Indian team is relaxed, they know what to do and focused on the last 2 Tests," he added. Meanwhile, the entire Indian contingent tested negative for the coronavirus and all the players left for Sydney from Melbourne on Monday. "Rohit Sharma, he has had a 14-day hard quarantine, before that training at the NCA. I am very sure he is not a fool to come and just breach the protocols. Yes, at times, things look different. I am very sure, they know what the protocols are and they follow them," said Ojha speaking about the whole controversy. ALSO READ: 'Statement portrays Indians in poor light' - BCCI rethinking playing in Brisbane after Ros Bates' comments "The bottom line is Australians are bad losers," he concluded. With the four-match Test series firmly locked at 1-1, the third Test between India and Australia is set to start from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

'Australians are bad losers' - Former India spinner tears apart hosts over bio-bubble controversy

It seems like the comments made by Queensland's Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates' regarding quarantine guideline set for the fourth Test in Brisbane has caused a bit of turbulence in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the Indian board feels that the team's image has been shown in poor light by the Australia authorities and media.

After such comments, the BCCI is rethinking if it should turn the Border-Gavaskar Trophy into a three-match series and end the series with the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), scheduled to start on January 7.

A BCCI official, speaking to ANI, said that the comments from Bates should have been avoided with both BCCI standing united with Cricket Australia to ensure that the tour goes ahead without any hitch. The official said that it is hurtful if a public representative doesn't want the team to go and play while adding that the hosts are propagating a view that the Indian team doesn't wish to follow the rules.

"The statement made by the public representative portrays Indians in poor light and let me assure you, we do not want to do anything other than to abide by the rules, and Rohit Sharma`s strict quarantine is a case in point. To try and propagate a view that we don't wish to follow the rules is unacceptable and the tone and tenor, in which it was said seemed rife with hostility and bordered on racism. It is, therefore, not a surprise that a rethink is on the cards.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-boss-says-india-fine-with-strict-quarantine-for-brisbane-test-as-visitors-test-negative-for-virus-354353" hreflang="en">Cricket Australia boss says India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test as visitors test negative for virus</a>

"If a representative of the public does not want us there, it is hurtful and the last thing we want is to upset the Australian fans who have given us so much love and support over the years. We do not wish to make it difficult for them or for Cricket Australia," the official said.

With reports surfacing that Indian team isn't too keen on hard quarantine ahead of Brisbane Test, Bates said: "If the Indians don`t want to play by the rules, don`t come."

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Today I was asked about reports the Indian Cricket Team wants quarantine restrictions eased just for them, ahead of the upcoming Gabba Test. My response 👇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiavsAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiavsAustralia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CricketAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CricketAus</a> <a href="https://t.co/MV7W0rIntM">pic.twitter.com/MV7W0rIntM</a>
— Ros Bates MP (@Ros_Bates_MP) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ros_Bates_MP/status/1345572787004481537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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She had put out the statement on social media as well and her sentiments were echoed by Queensland`s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander.&nbsp;

"If the Indian cricket team wants to spit the dummy and disregard quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth Test, then they shouldn`t come," Mander said, as reported by Fox Sports.

"The same rules must apply for everyone. Simple," he added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-boss-says-india-fine-with-strict-quarantine-for-brisbane-test-as-visitors-test-negative-for-virus-354353" hreflang="en">Cricket Australia boss says India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test as visitors test negative for virus</a>

However, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley on Monday said that the BCCI is fully supportive of guidelines set by the Queensland government.

"We`ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they are supportive. We speak to our counterparts in the BCCI daily and we have clarified in the last 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane," cricket.com.au quoted Hockley as saying.

"There has been some reporting that players will be confined to their rooms -- that`s not the case. Typically for a Test match, players arrive at the ground between 8 am and 9 am and they are there until 6 or 7 pm at night, and then it`s back to the hotel to rest and recuperate and they will be able to mix within their groups. So everyone`s fully across that, and supportive," he added.

Earlier, the Indian contingent in Australia tested negative for the coronavirus after controversial weeks on Australian soil.

"Playing members of the Indian Cricket Team and support staff underwent an RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests have returned negative results," the BCCI said.

(With ANI inputs)

It seems like the comments made by Queensland's Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates' regarding quarantine guideline set for the fourth Test in Brisbane has caused a bit of turbulence in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the Indian board feels that the team's image has been shown in poor light by the Australia authorities and media.

It seems like the comments made by Queensland's Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates' regarding quarantine guideline set for the fourth Test in Brisbane has caused a bit of turbulence in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the Indian board feels that the team's image has been shown in poor light by the Australia authorities and media. After such comments, the BCCI is rethinking if it should turn the Border-Gavaskar Trophy into a three-match series and end the series with the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), scheduled to start on January 7. A BCCI official, speaking to ANI, said that the comments from Bates should have been avoided with both BCCI standing united with Cricket Australia to ensure that the tour goes ahead without any hitch. The official said that it is hurtful if a public representative doesn't want the team to go and play while adding that the hosts are propagating a view that the Indian team doesn't wish to follow the rules. "The statement made by the public representative portrays Indians in poor light and let me assure you, we do not want to do anything other than to abide by the rules, and Rohit Sharma`s strict quarantine is a case in point. To try and propagate a view that we don't wish to follow the rules is unacceptable and the tone and tenor, in which it was said seemed rife with hostility and bordered on racism. It is, therefore, not a surprise that a rethink is on the cards. ALSO READ: Cricket Australia boss says India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test as visitors test negative for virus "If a representative of the public does not want us there, it is hurtful and the last thing we want is to upset the Australian fans who have given us so much love and support over the years. We do not wish to make it difficult for them or for Cricket Australia," the official said. With reports surfacing that Indian team isn't too keen on hard quarantine ahead of Brisbane Test, Bates said: "If the Indians don`t want to play by the rules, don`t come." Today I was asked about reports the Indian Cricket Team wants quarantine restrictions eased just for them, ahead of the upcoming Gabba Test. My response 👇 #Cricket #IndiavsAustralia @ICC @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/MV7W0rIntM — Ros Bates MP (@Ros_Bates_MP) January 3, 2021 × She had put out the statement on social media as well and her sentiments were echoed by Queensland`s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander. "If the Indian cricket team wants to spit the dummy and disregard quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth Test, then they shouldn`t come," Mander said, as reported by Fox Sports. "The same rules must apply for everyone. Simple," he added. ALSO READ: Cricket Australia boss says India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test as visitors test negative for virus However, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley on Monday said that the BCCI is fully supportive of guidelines set by the Queensland government. "We`ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they are supportive. We speak to our counterparts in the BCCI daily and we have clarified in the last 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane," cricket.com.au quoted Hockley as saying. "There has been some reporting that players will be confined to their rooms -- that`s not the case. Typically for a Test match, players arrive at the ground between 8 am and 9 am and they are there until 6 or 7 pm at night, and then it`s back to the hotel to rest and recuperate and they will be able to mix within their groups. So everyone`s fully across that, and supportive," he added. Earlier, the Indian contingent in Australia tested negative for the coronavirus after controversial weeks on Australian soil. "Playing members of the Indian Cricket Team and support staff underwent an RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests have returned negative results," the BCCI said. (With ANI inputs)

'Statement portrays Indians in poor light' - BCCI rethinking playing in Brisbane after Ros Bates' comments

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley on Monday dismissed reports that the Indian cricket team is weighing a boycott of the fourth and final Test of the tour, in Brisbane, over strict quarantine concerns.

Australian media had earlier reported that the visiting Indian team would refuse to travel to Brisbane if they are to undergo another spell of hard quarantine in the Queensland state.

<h2>BCCI "fully supportive" of quarantine requirements in Brisbane: Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley</h2>

Hockley said that the BCCI was “fully across (and) supportive” of quarantine requirements in Queensland.

“We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” he told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

“We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive ... Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.”

The third Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday after Cricket Australia decided not to move the match in the wake of a fresh outbreak of coronavirus in the city.

Queensland has shut its border with New South Wales but agreed to allow the players travel to Brisbane for the final Test, on January 15, given they undergo strict biosecurity protocols.

However, the BCCI, officially, is yet to publicly support or comment about the Brisbane quarantine plan.

<h2>Indian contingent test negative for COVID-19</h2>

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team, including the five players who had breached the safety protocols, tested negative for the virus after undergoing RT-PCR tests.&nbsp;

The players and support staff have been embroiled in controversy ever since five of its members - Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Navdeep Saini and Rishabh Pant - were accused of breaching the bio-bubble after they were pictured having food indoors at a restaurant in Melbourne on New Year's Day, which is against the protocols set in place by Cricket Australia for this series.

According to CA's bio-secure protocols, players are allowed to sit outside but not dine inside restaurants.

The five players were put in isolation but will travel together with the team to Sydney on January 4.

"Playing members of the Indian Cricket Team and support staff underwent an RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests have returned negative results," the BCCI said in a statement.

The third match in Sydney is set to start from January 7 with the series between India and Australia firmly locked at 1-1.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley on Monday dismissed reports that the Indian cricket team is weighing a boycott of the fourth and final Test of the tour, in Brisbane, over strict quarantine concerns.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley on Monday dismissed reports that the Indian cricket team is weighing a boycott of the fourth and final Test of the tour, in Brisbane, over strict quarantine concerns. Australian media had earlier reported that the visiting Indian team would refuse to travel to Brisbane if they are to undergo another spell of hard quarantine in the Queensland state. BCCI "fully supportive" of quarantine requirements in Brisbane: Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley Hockley said that the BCCI was “fully across (and) supportive” of quarantine requirements in Queensland. “We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” he told reporters in Sydney on Monday. “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive ... Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.” The third Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday after Cricket Australia decided not to move the match in the wake of a fresh outbreak of coronavirus in the city. Queensland has shut its border with New South Wales but agreed to allow the players travel to Brisbane for the final Test, on January 15, given they undergo strict biosecurity protocols. However, the BCCI, officially, is yet to publicly support or comment about the Brisbane quarantine plan. Indian contingent test negative for COVID-19 Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team, including the five players who had breached the safety protocols, tested negative for the virus after undergoing RT-PCR tests. The players and support staff have been embroiled in controversy ever since five of its members - Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Navdeep Saini and Rishabh Pant - were accused of breaching the bio-bubble after they were pictured having food indoors at a restaurant in Melbourne on New Year's Day, which is against the protocols set in place by Cricket Australia for this series. According to CA's bio-secure protocols, players are allowed to sit outside but not dine inside restaurants. The five players were put in isolation but will travel together with the team to Sydney on January 4. "Playing members of the Indian Cricket Team and support staff underwent an RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests have returned negative results," the BCCI said in a statement. The third match in Sydney is set to start from January 7 with the series between India and Australia firmly locked at 1-1.

Cricket Australia boss says India fine with strict quarantine for Brisbane Test as visitors test negative for virus

With Rohit Sharma joining Team India’s training session on Thursday, debates and discussions are taking place on who the Hitman will replace in the playing XI for the third Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has opined on his options of Indian openers in the New Year’s Test at the SCG.&nbsp;

Rohit’s availability and Umesh Yadav’s injury have complicated the selection for Team India in the third Test. Gavaskar, when asked about his preferred choice of openers for the third Test, said that he would keep Mayank Agarwal in the playing XI and pair him up with Rohit Sharma. The Little Master added that Shubman Gill, who impressed everyone in his Test debut, should be moved to number five to accommodate Rohit at the top and replace Hanuma Vihari.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/umesh-yadav-ruled-out-of-australia-tour-due-to-calf-injury-353571" hreflang="en">Umesh Yadav ruled out of Australia tour due to calf injury</a>

“I would be keeping Mayank Agarwal. I know he’s not looked good but he’s a quality player. I would keep him in the side and open the batting with Rohit,” Gavaskar told Sanjay Manjrekar on Sony Sports Network.

Gavaskar further said, "Despite the fact that Shubman Gill has looked so good at the top, I’d look to bat him at No.5. I’m not too sure, that with his approach he would be too successful at the opening position also at the U19 level he was batting down the order so I think for Shubman Gill no.5 would be the ideal position. The rest of the team should remain same and obviously if Gill bats at five, Vihari goes out automatically.”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-rankings-kane-williamson-overtakes-smith-kohli-as-top-test-batsman-ajinkya-rahane-enters-top-10-353560" hreflang="en">ICC Rankings: Kane Williamson overtakes Smith, Kohli as top Test batsman; Ajinkya Rahane enters Top 10</a>

Moreover, the third Test will be hosted by Sydney Cricket Ground despite a fresh COVID-19 cluster in the city. Cricket Australia are hopeful of having crowds at 50 per cent capacity.&nbsp;

The four-Test series is firmly locked at 1-1 after India bounced back strongly to level the series 1-1 in Melbourne. 
&nbsp;

With Rohit Sharma joining Team India’s training session on Thursday, debates and discussions are taking place on who the Hitman will replace in the playing XI for the third Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With Rohit Sharma joining Team India’s training session on Thursday, debates and discussions are taking place on who the Hitman will replace in the playing XI for the third Test against Australia, scheduled to start from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has opined on his options of Indian openers in the New Year’s Test at the SCG. Rohit’s availability and Umesh Yadav’s injury have complicated the selection for Team India in the third Test. Gavaskar, when asked about his preferred choice of openers for the third Test, said that he would keep Mayank Agarwal in the playing XI and pair him up with Rohit Sharma. The Little Master added that Shubman Gill, who impressed everyone in his Test debut, should be moved to number five to accommodate Rohit at the top and replace Hanuma Vihari. ALSO READ: Umesh Yadav ruled out of Australia tour due to calf injury “I would be keeping Mayank Agarwal. I know he’s not looked good but he’s a quality player. I would keep him in the side and open the batting with Rohit,” Gavaskar told Sanjay Manjrekar on Sony Sports Network. Gavaskar further said, "Despite the fact that Shubman Gill has looked so good at the top, I’d look to bat him at No.5. I’m not too sure, that with his approach he would be too successful at the opening position also at the U19 level he was batting down the order so I think for Shubman Gill no.5 would be the ideal position. The rest of the team should remain same and obviously if Gill bats at five, Vihari goes out automatically.” ALSO READ: ICC Rankings: Kane Williamson overtakes Smith, Kohli as top Test batsman; Ajinkya Rahane enters Top 10 Moreover, the third Test will be hosted by Sydney Cricket Ground despite a fresh COVID-19 cluster in the city. Cricket Australia are hopeful of having crowds at 50 per cent capacity. The four-Test series is firmly locked at 1-1 after India bounced back strongly to level the series 1-1 in Melbourne.

Rohit, Shubman or Mayank? Sunil Gavaskar picks his Indian openers for 3rd Test vs Australia

Australia on Wednesday announced a strong 18-member squad for the third and fourth Tests against India as David Warner returned in the team for the hosts. The four-match Test series is firmly locked at 1-1 after India made a resounding comeback in the Boxing Day Test to equalise the series.&nbsp;

Warner and Will Pucovsi have been added in Australia’s Test squad with out-of-form opener Joe Burns dropped from the squad. Pacer Sean Abbott has also been declared fit for the remainder of the series and is one of the names in the 18-member squad.

Warner continues to recover from the groin injury and will replace Burns in the playing XI. Whereas Pucovski is in line to make his Test debut after suffering concussion while playing for Australia A against India earlier this month.&nbsp;

The 22-year-old will still be required to pass further tests before he is cleared to make a possible debut in Sydney.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t-natarajan-could-make-test-debut-in-third-test-vs-australia-as-umesh-yadav-suffers-calf-injury-353331" hreflang="en">T Natarajan could make Test debut in third Test vs Australia as Umesh Yadav suffers calf injury</a>

Should Pucovski make his Test debut in Sydney, Matthew Wade could be shifted to the middle order to replace out-of-form Travis Head in the playing XI.&nbsp; 
"Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom-free for some time," Australia’s selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement

"He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment.

"Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shhhh-fans-urged-to-cheer-quietly-at-scg-amid-covid-outbreak-353325" hreflang="en">Shhhh! Fans urged to cheer quietly at SCG amid COVID outbreak</a>

"Unfortunately, Joe's returns haven't been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of.

"David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match.

"Sean has fully recovered from a calf strain and is also available for selection."

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

India Test squad: Virat Kohli (c) (first Test only), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj 
&nbsp;

Australia on Wednesday announced a strong 18-member squad for the third and fourth Tests against India as David Warner returned in the team for the hosts. The four-match Test series is firmly locked at 1-1 after India made a resounding comeback in the Boxing Day Test to equalise the series.

Australia on Wednesday announced a strong 18-member squad for the third and fourth Tests against India as David Warner returned in the team for the hosts. The four-match Test series is firmly locked at 1-1 after India made a resounding comeback in the Boxing Day Test to equalise the series. Warner and Will Pucovsi have been added in Australia’s Test squad with out-of-form opener Joe Burns dropped from the squad. Pacer Sean Abbott has also been declared fit for the remainder of the series and is one of the names in the 18-member squad. Warner continues to recover from the groin injury and will replace Burns in the playing XI. Whereas Pucovski is in line to make his Test debut after suffering concussion while playing for Australia A against India earlier this month. The 22-year-old will still be required to pass further tests before he is cleared to make a possible debut in Sydney. ALSO READ: T Natarajan could make Test debut in third Test vs Australia as Umesh Yadav suffers calf injury Should Pucovski make his Test debut in Sydney, Matthew Wade could be shifted to the middle order to replace out-of-form Travis Head in the playing XI. "Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play protocols and has been symptom-free for some time," Australia’s selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement "He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment. "Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat. ALSO READ: Shhhh! Fans urged to cheer quietly at SCG amid COVID outbreak "Unfortunately, Joe's returns haven't been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of. "David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match. "Sean has fully recovered from a calf strain and is also available for selection." Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner India Test squad: Virat Kohli (c) (first Test only), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj

David Warner, Will Pucovski return to Australian squad vs India; Joe Burns dropped

The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is set to host the third Test between India and Australia, scheduled to start from January 7. There were dark clouds looming over the venue of the New Year’s Test between Australia and India with a fresh COVID-19 cluster emerging in Sydney. However, Cricket Australia has ratified the decision to go ahead with the original schedule with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday.

December’s COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney forced NSW authorities, Queensland government and Cricket Australia to get into lengthy discussions across the past two weeks.

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JUST IN: The SCG has been confirmed as the venue for the third <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> Test
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However, players are likely to be forced into quarantine and will be only allowed to train, according to reports.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-fined-for-slow-over-rate-in-boxing-day-test-vs-india-353127" hreflang="en">Australia fined for slow-over rate in Boxing Day Test vs India</a>

The interim CEO of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, remained committed to an SCG Test even as key stakeholders desired to play the New Year’s Test in Melbourne, which hosted the Boxing Day Test. However, Hockley believed that he could deliver the much-awaited match to the NSW government, the fans and the SCG, as scheduled.&nbsp;

There is a feeling of optimism within Cricket Australia that it can deliver the last two Test of the four-match series without a hitch.

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, said that health advice from the NSW Government and collaboration with both the NSW and Queensland Governments helped make the decision.

"Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men's international series as scheduled," Hockley said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ajinkya-rahane-joins-ms-dhoni-in-a-rare-list-as-india-win-boxing-day-test-vs-australia-353117" hreflang="en">Ajinkya Rahane joins MS Dhoni in a rare list as India win Boxing Day Test vs Australia</a>

"We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes.

"To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year's Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play.

"We are confident that both this match, and the fourth Test in Brisbane, will play out in a safe and successful manner and thus round out what has been a magnificent men's international program this summer.

"We are very grateful to the Queensland Government for their willingness to work with us to deliver the series as planned in a manner that places the safety and wellbeing of the players, officials, staff and the wider community as its top priority.

"In response to the public health situation in NSW and the requirements of the Queensland Government, CA will put in place appropriate biosecurity measures and we thank all players, staff and broadcasters for their cooperation to play the matches safely."

The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is set to host the third Test between India and Australia, scheduled to start from January 7. There were dark clouds looming over the venue of the New Year’s Test between Australia and India with a fresh COVID-19 cluster emerging in Sydney.

The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is set to host the third Test between India and Australia, scheduled to start from January 7. There were dark clouds looming over the venue of the New Year’s Test between Australia and India with a fresh COVID-19 cluster emerging in Sydney. However, Cricket Australia has ratified the decision to go ahead with the original schedule with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday. December’s COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney forced NSW authorities, Queensland government and Cricket Australia to get into lengthy discussions across the past two weeks. JUST IN: The SCG has been confirmed as the venue for the third #AUSvIND Test — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2020 × However, players are likely to be forced into quarantine and will be only allowed to train, according to reports. ALSO READ: Australia fined for slow-over rate in Boxing Day Test vs India The interim CEO of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, remained committed to an SCG Test even as key stakeholders desired to play the New Year’s Test in Melbourne, which hosted the Boxing Day Test. However, Hockley believed that he could deliver the much-awaited match to the NSW government, the fans and the SCG, as scheduled. There is a feeling of optimism within Cricket Australia that it can deliver the last two Test of the four-match series without a hitch. Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, said that health advice from the NSW Government and collaboration with both the NSW and Queensland Governments helped make the decision. "Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men's international series as scheduled," Hockley said. ALSO READ: Ajinkya Rahane joins MS Dhoni in a rare list as India win Boxing Day Test vs Australia "We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes. "To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year's Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play. "We are confident that both this match, and the fourth Test in Brisbane, will play out in a safe and successful manner and thus round out what has been a magnificent men's international program this summer. "We are very grateful to the Queensland Government for their willingness to work with us to deliver the series as planned in a manner that places the safety and wellbeing of the players, officials, staff and the wider community as its top priority. "In response to the public health situation in NSW and the requirements of the Queensland Government, CA will put in place appropriate biosecurity measures and we thank all players, staff and broadcasters for their cooperation to play the matches safely."

Sydney Cricket Ground to host third Test vs India, confirms Cricket Australia

Australia on Monday were put on backfoot by the resilience of Indian cricket team as the hosts, at the end of Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, could manage just 133/6 with a lead of just two runs. The Indian bowlers were all over the Australian batting unit and didn’t allow any of the Aussie batters to settle on the pitch as the Ajinkya Rahane’s men inch closer to equalise the series.&nbsp;

Australia were hunted down collectively by the Indian bowling unit as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up a wicket each with Ravindra Jadeja scalping two to dismantle the Aussies.&nbsp;

While Matthew Wade showed grit to score 40 off 137, he was trapped plumb by Jadeja. Apart from Wade, none of the Aussie batters could score big with the hosts staring at a massive defeat in the Boxing Day Test.

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However, India’s brilliant day on the field was marred by an injury to Umesh Yadav with the pacer taken to a nearby hospital after picking up a calf injury.

"Umesh Yadav complained of pain in his calf while bowling his 4th over and was assessed by the BCCI medical team. He is being taken for scans now," BCCI media team released a statement.

Earlier in the first innings, India posted 326 runs on the board after a terrific century by Rahane and half-century by Ravindra Jadeja after Australia were bundled out for 195 runs.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/top-knock-from-jinks-virat-kohli-lauds-ajinkya-rahanes-unbeaten-century-at-mcg-352760" hreflang="en">'Top knock from Jinks': Virat Kohli lauds Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten century at MCG</a>

Rahane, whose captaincy has been praised heavily by the pundits and former cricketers, said that leading a side is all about backing your instincts and going with gut feeling.

“Captaincy is all about backing your instinct. You’ve got to back your gut feeling. Credit to the bowlers, they bowled in the right areas. (On his knock) It was really special. Getting a century always is. Still feel that my hundred against England at Lord’s is my best. This game is not over yet, still have to get four more wickets. (On the run out) I initially thought I was in. I told him (Jadeja) not to worry about my run out and to do keep doing well,” said Rahane after the end of Day 3 in Melbourne. 
&nbsp;

Australia on Monday were put on backfoot by the resilience of Indian cricket team as the hosts, at the end of Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, could manage just 133/6 with a lead of just two runs.

Australia on Monday were put on backfoot by the resilience of Indian cricket team as the hosts, at the end of Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, could manage just 133/6 with a lead of just two runs. The Indian bowlers were all over the Australian batting unit and didn’t allow any of the Aussie batters to settle on the pitch as the Ajinkya Rahane’s men inch closer to equalise the series. Australia were hunted down collectively by the Indian bowling unit as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up a wicket each with Ravindra Jadeja scalping two to dismantle the Aussies. While Matthew Wade showed grit to score 40 off 137, he was trapped plumb by Jadeja. Apart from Wade, none of the Aussie batters could score big with the hosts staring at a massive defeat in the Boxing Day Test. ALSO READ: New Zealand fans brutally troll Pakistan with a viral placard during Boxing Day Test However, India’s brilliant day on the field was marred by an injury to Umesh Yadav with the pacer taken to a nearby hospital after picking up a calf injury. "Umesh Yadav complained of pain in his calf while bowling his 4th over and was assessed by the BCCI medical team. He is being taken for scans now," BCCI media team released a statement. Earlier in the first innings, India posted 326 runs on the board after a terrific century by Rahane and half-century by Ravindra Jadeja after Australia were bundled out for 195 runs. ALSO READ: 'Top knock from Jinks': Virat Kohli lauds Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten century at MCG Rahane, whose captaincy has been praised heavily by the pundits and former cricketers, said that leading a side is all about backing your instincts and going with gut feeling. “Captaincy is all about backing your instinct. You’ve got to back your gut feeling. Credit to the bowlers, they bowled in the right areas. (On his knock) It was really special. Getting a century always is. Still feel that my hundred against England at Lord’s is my best. This game is not over yet, still have to get four more wickets. (On the run out) I initially thought I was in. I told him (Jadeja) not to worry about my run out and to do keep doing well,” said Rahane after the end of Day 3 in Melbourne.

Boxing Day Test: Indian bowlers dominate Australia on Day 3, eye series-levelling win

Former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir reckons that Ajinkya Rahane shouldn’t change his personality as the veteran Indian batsman gears up to lead the Indian cricket team in the absence of Virat Kohli in the remaining three Tests matches against Australia, starting from Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Rahane is a contrasting character to Virat Kohli and doesn’t show his emotions on the field. However, Gambhir has suggested that with attacking field placements and bowling changes, Rahane can express his intentions during the Test matches.&nbsp;

India will be heading to the Boxing Day Test with as many as four changes in the playing XI with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj coming in for Kohli, Wriddhiman Saha, Prithvi Shaw and Mohammed Shami.&nbsp;

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Moreover, India will have a task to wipe off the mental blockage of being all-out for 36 in the Adelaide Test and start afresh in the series, which Australia lead 1-0.

"You don't change your personality overnight and you don't need to change it either. They (Rahane and Virat Kohli) are different captains, different personalities. Ajinkya can't be Virat Kohli, Virat Kohli can't be MS Dhoni and MS Dhoni could never be Sourav Ganguly. All these guys have been successful captains.

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"So be the way you are and one change I would definitely want to see is Ajinkya Rahane batting at No. 4 because that will send a message that 'Yes I'm leading from the front'. It's not about showing your emotions on the field all the time or reacting to every wicket or every run you score. You've got many other ways to be aggressive.

"Your body language can be aggressive, your field placements could be aggressive. You can probably ask your bowler to bowl attacking lengths, your batting could be different. People say this guy wears his heart on his sleeve, all that stuff is crap.

"Ajinkya Rahane does not need to change anything, all he needs to do is tell his team that we are looking to win this game, they've got an opportunity and they've got the team to win the Test match in Australia because the hosts are very vulnerable especially in the batting department," Gambhir said on Sports Today.

India, under the leadership of Rahane, would be hoping to bounce back against all the odds and get back to winning ways as a defeat would give an unassailable 2-0 lead to the hosts.

Former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir reckons that Ajinkya Rahane shouldn’t change his personality as the veteran Indian batsman gears up to lead the Indian cricket team in the absence of Virat Kohli in the remaining three Tests matches against Australia, starting from Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Former Indian cricketer and World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir reckons that Ajinkya Rahane shouldn’t change his personality as the veteran Indian batsman gears up to lead the Indian cricket team in the absence of Virat Kohli in the remaining three Tests matches against Australia, starting from Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Rahane is a contrasting character to Virat Kohli and doesn’t show his emotions on the field. However, Gambhir has suggested that with attacking field placements and bowling changes, Rahane can express his intentions during the Test matches. India will be heading to the Boxing Day Test with as many as four changes in the playing XI with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj coming in for Kohli, Wriddhiman Saha, Prithvi Shaw and Mohammed Shami. ALSO READ: 'India, a proud cricketing nation, will not roll over at MCG': Tim Paine Moreover, India will have a task to wipe off the mental blockage of being all-out for 36 in the Adelaide Test and start afresh in the series, which Australia lead 1-0. "You don't change your personality overnight and you don't need to change it either. They (Rahane and Virat Kohli) are different captains, different personalities. Ajinkya can't be Virat Kohli, Virat Kohli can't be MS Dhoni and MS Dhoni could never be Sourav Ganguly. All these guys have been successful captains. ALSO READ: 'Fearless' former England batsman Edrich dies at 83 "So be the way you are and one change I would definitely want to see is Ajinkya Rahane batting at No. 4 because that will send a message that 'Yes I'm leading from the front'. It's not about showing your emotions on the field all the time or reacting to every wicket or every run you score. You've got many other ways to be aggressive. "Your body language can be aggressive, your field placements could be aggressive. You can probably ask your bowler to bowl attacking lengths, your batting could be different. People say this guy wears his heart on his sleeve, all that stuff is crap. "Ajinkya Rahane does not need to change anything, all he needs to do is tell his team that we are looking to win this game, they've got an opportunity and they've got the team to win the Test match in Australia because the hosts are very vulnerable especially in the batting department," Gambhir said on Sports Today. India, under the leadership of Rahane, would be hoping to bounce back against all the odds and get back to winning ways as a defeat would give an unassailable 2-0 lead to the hosts.

Don't change your personality: Gautam Gambhir's suggestion for Ajinkya Rahane in Virat Kohli's absence

The Indian cricket team will look to bounce back in the four-match Test series against Australia when they take the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test on December 26. After suffering humiliation in Adelaide – where the visitors were bundled out for 36 – India will be looking to save an 88-year-old record.&nbsp;

In the last 88 years, no Indian cricket team has lost all of its Test matches or even failed to draw even one in a calendar year (minimum criteria: 3 Tests). In 2020, the Indian cricket team were handed whitewash by New Zealand earlier this year.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-announce-playing-xi-for-boxing-day-test-vs-australia-shubman-gill-to-debut-352247" hreflang="en">India announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test vs Australia; Shubman Gill to debut</a>

The Indian cricket team arrives in Melbourne for the second Test of the 4-match series after not winning or drawing a single Test match in 2020. The Indian cricket team started off the year with a 2-match Test series against New Zealand, losing both of them.&nbsp;

After the New Zealand tour, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc which resulted in sporting activities being shut for months. After the resumption of cricket, the Indian team went ahead of their tour of Australia after the conclusion of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.

India, against Australia, lost the ODI series 2-1 but won the T20I series 2-1. However, they were handed a crushing eight-wicket defeat in the Adelaide Test – a match which will be remembered for India getting all-out for 36.

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After losing all three Tests played in 2020, the Indian team would be desperate to at least draw the Boxing Day Test in a bid to avoid a horrendous record – going the entire calendar year without a single draw or Test win.

The likes of Bangladesh (5 times); Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa (3 times); and England, New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka (at least once) have all held records where they have failed to draw or win a Test match in a calendar year.&nbsp;

The Boxing Day Test will also be the 100th Test face-off between India and Australia. 
&nbsp;

The Indian cricket team will look to bounce back in the four-match Test series against Australia when they take the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test on December 26.

The Indian cricket team will look to bounce back in the four-match Test series against Australia when they take the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test on December 26. After suffering humiliation in Adelaide – where the visitors were bundled out for 36 – India will be looking to save an 88-year-old record. In the last 88 years, no Indian cricket team has lost all of its Test matches or even failed to draw even one in a calendar year (minimum criteria: 3 Tests). In 2020, the Indian cricket team were handed whitewash by New Zealand earlier this year. ALSO READ: India announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test vs Australia; Shubman Gill to debut The Indian cricket team arrives in Melbourne for the second Test of the 4-match series after not winning or drawing a single Test match in 2020. The Indian cricket team started off the year with a 2-match Test series against New Zealand, losing both of them. After the New Zealand tour, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc which resulted in sporting activities being shut for months. After the resumption of cricket, the Indian team went ahead of their tour of Australia after the conclusion of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. India, against Australia, lost the ODI series 2-1 but won the T20I series 2-1. However, they were handed a crushing eight-wicket defeat in the Adelaide Test – a match which will be remembered for India getting all-out for 36. ALSO READ: From Mahomes to Giannis: Athletes with biggest contracts in sporting history After losing all three Tests played in 2020, the Indian team would be desperate to at least draw the Boxing Day Test in a bid to avoid a horrendous record – going the entire calendar year without a single draw or Test win. The likes of Bangladesh (5 times); Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa (3 times); and England, New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka (at least once) have all held records where they have failed to draw or win a Test match in a calendar year. The Boxing Day Test will also be the 100th Test face-off between India and Australia.

Stat alert! Team India's 88-year-old history on line in Boxing Day Test vs Australia

The Indian cricket team on Friday announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, scheduled to start from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as the visitors brought in the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant while handing debuts to youngsters Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (injury) will not be available for the rest of the series as Jadeja and Siraj respectively replaced the duo in the playing XI while Gill replaced out-of-form Prithvi Shaw and Pant came in for Wriddhiman Saha. &nbsp;

India recorded their lowest Test total of 36 runs in the second innings of Adelaide Test where Australia thumped India by eight wickets inside three days to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paine-wary-of-depleted-india-in-melbourne-352235" hreflang="en">Paine wary of depleted India in Melbourne</a>

“Each and every individual in this team is really capable of doing well, so it’s really a challenge for the captain and management to select the 11,” Rahane told a video conference on Friday.

“We had just one bad hour (in Adelaide). It’s about staying positive, backing your own ability and batting in partnerships.”

Earlier on Friday, Rahane’s Australian counterpart Tim Paine said that India, without Kohli and others, were more than capable of turning the tables in their favour.&nbsp;

“The moment we take our foot off the pedal, and think we’re going all right (performances can slip),” Paine told reporters. “A huge focus of ours ... has been winning after winning.

“We’ve been fantastic in how we’ve prepared for this game.”

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The Melbourne Cricket Ground is normally jam-packed during Boxing Day Tests but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the crowd has been limited to 30,000.

&nbsp;“It’s going to be different isn’t it,” Paine said.

“I think we’re just lucky to be playing a Boxing Day test at the MCG.”

The Indian cricket team on Friday announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, scheduled to start from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as the visitors brought in the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant while handing debuts to youngsters Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj.

The Indian cricket team on Friday announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, scheduled to start from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as the visitors brought in the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant while handing debuts to youngsters Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj. Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (injury) will not be available for the rest of the series as Jadeja and Siraj respectively replaced the duo in the playing XI while Gill replaced out-of-form Prithvi Shaw and Pant came in for Wriddhiman Saha. India recorded their lowest Test total of 36 runs in the second innings of Adelaide Test where Australia thumped India by eight wickets inside three days to take a 1-0 lead in the series. ALSO READ: Paine wary of depleted India in Melbourne “Each and every individual in this team is really capable of doing well, so it’s really a challenge for the captain and management to select the 11,” Rahane told a video conference on Friday. “We had just one bad hour (in Adelaide). It’s about staying positive, backing your own ability and batting in partnerships.” Earlier on Friday, Rahane’s Australian counterpart Tim Paine said that India, without Kohli and others, were more than capable of turning the tables in their favour. “The moment we take our foot off the pedal, and think we’re going all right (performances can slip),” Paine told reporters. “A huge focus of ours ... has been winning after winning. “We’ve been fantastic in how we’ve prepared for this game.” ALSO READ: 'India will come out and fight': Kris Srikkanth on Boxing Day Test The Melbourne Cricket Ground is normally jam-packed during Boxing Day Tests but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the crowd has been limited to 30,000. “It’s going to be different isn’t it,” Paine said. “I think we’re just lucky to be playing a Boxing Day test at the MCG.”

India announce playing XI for Boxing Day Test vs Australia; Shubman Gill to debut

Australia plan to stick with the same XI for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, coach Justin Langer said Thursday as he warned Virat Kohli's absence will put India at a big disadvantage.

With star batsman David Warner again ruled out injured, under-pressure opener Joe Burns, who scored a handy 51 not out in their second innings during the first Test at Adelaide, is set to keep his place at the top of the order.

Makeshift opener Matthew Wade is expected again to accompany him, with young allrounder Cameron Green retaining his spot in the middle order.

"I'd be a pretty courageous man to change the XI for this Test match after the last one," said Langer.

"So at this stage, unless something happens over the next few days, and it can happen in the world we live in, we'll go in with the same XI, I'd say."

Australia won the opening Test by eight wickets inside three days after India humiliatingly collapsed to be all out for just 36 in their second innings -- their lowest Test score.

Compounding their problems, captain Kohli will miss the next three Tests to be at the birth of his first child, while star paceman Mohammed Shami is also expected to be absent after reportedly fracturing his wrist.

Langer said Kohli's no-show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where up to 30,000 fans a day will be allowed, around one-third of capacity, was great news for Australia.

"Virat Kohli is one of the all-time great players and Shami I think is a real glue for the Indian bowling attack, because he's so miserly, he's very, very skilful," he said.

"So of course it gives us an advantage. But we just know we have to keep working hard in the all the processes we've been talking about for some time.

"We know we have to start strongly on day one, we know we need to keep the pressure on (Ajinkya) Rahane if he is the new captain.

"So our processes don't change, but when you take the best players out of any cricket team, then of course it weakens them, that is just reality, and it gives us an advantage."

Australia (probable): Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australia plan to stick with the same XI for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, coach Justin Langer said Thursday as he warned Virat Kohli's absence will put India at a big disadvantage.

Australia plan to stick with the same XI for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, coach Justin Langer said Thursday as he warned Virat Kohli's absence will put India at a big disadvantage. With star batsman David Warner again ruled out injured, under-pressure opener Joe Burns, who scored a handy 51 not out in their second innings during the first Test at Adelaide, is set to keep his place at the top of the order. Makeshift opener Matthew Wade is expected again to accompany him, with young allrounder Cameron Green retaining his spot in the middle order. "I'd be a pretty courageous man to change the XI for this Test match after the last one," said Langer. "So at this stage, unless something happens over the next few days, and it can happen in the world we live in, we'll go in with the same XI, I'd say." Australia won the opening Test by eight wickets inside three days after India humiliatingly collapsed to be all out for just 36 in their second innings -- their lowest Test score. Compounding their problems, captain Kohli will miss the next three Tests to be at the birth of his first child, while star paceman Mohammed Shami is also expected to be absent after reportedly fracturing his wrist. Langer said Kohli's no-show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where up to 30,000 fans a day will be allowed, around one-third of capacity, was great news for Australia. "Virat Kohli is one of the all-time great players and Shami I think is a real glue for the Indian bowling attack, because he's so miserly, he's very, very skilful," he said. "So of course it gives us an advantage. But we just know we have to keep working hard in the all the processes we've been talking about for some time. "We know we have to start strongly on day one, we know we need to keep the pressure on (Ajinkya) Rahane if he is the new captain. "So our processes don't change, but when you take the best players out of any cricket team, then of course it weakens them, that is just reality, and it gives us an advantage." Australia (probable): Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australia set to be unchanged for Boxing Day India Test: Langer

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has weighed his opinion on the impending Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the former leg-spinner said that Aussies are going to blow India away.&nbsp;

India are badly hurt after their crushing eight-wicket defeat in Adelaide and would be hoping to bounce back in the four-Test series without having the likes of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami in the team.

"I think Australia is probably going to blow them away," Shane Warne told 'Fox Cricket'.

"Having said that, they have some class players to come in like KL Rahul. Young Gill will come in. (Ajinkya) Rahane is a class act. We know what (Cheteshwar) Pujara can do," he said.

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"(Mohammed) Shami is a huge loss as well. He's such a quality bowler. And if you look at bowlers for the Melbourne conditions drop-in pitches. Shami hits the seam and stands it up and bowls a good length and straight."

Warner added that the Australian bowling unit deserves more credit for the Adelaide Test than criticism faced by the Indian batters.&nbsp;

"Yeah, you can have a go at the Indians but I think you would rather give credit to the Australians and how well they bowled," the 51-year-old former leg-spinner said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/none-of-my-business-glad-if-india-are-stressed-justin-langer-on-being-in-ravi-shastris-shoes-352006" hreflang="en">None of my business, glad if India are stressed: Justin Langer on being in Ravi Shastri's shoes</a>

"They were outstanding, that bowling attack. The four bowlers plus Green, have been good bowlers for a long time. They are turning themselves into great bowlers now. To watch them go to work in Adelaide was fantastic."

The former Australian cricketer further opined that the quartet of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are going to end up as Australia’s greatest bowling unit.&nbsp;

"They are definitely in the conversation (to compare them to my era). They are outstanding those four bowlers and they have been for a while," Warne said.

The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is set to commence from December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has weighed his opinion on the impending Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the former leg-spinner said that Aussies are going to blow India away.

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has weighed his opinion on the impending Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the former leg-spinner said that Aussies are going to blow India away. India are badly hurt after their crushing eight-wicket defeat in Adelaide and would be hoping to bounce back in the four-Test series without having the likes of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami in the team. "I think Australia is probably going to blow them away," Shane Warne told 'Fox Cricket'. "Having said that, they have some class players to come in like KL Rahul. Young Gill will come in. (Ajinkya) Rahane is a class act. We know what (Cheteshwar) Pujara can do," he said. ALSO READ: Melbourne on standby for third Test, Sydney still preferred option: Nick Hockley "(Mohammed) Shami is a huge loss as well. He's such a quality bowler. And if you look at bowlers for the Melbourne conditions drop-in pitches. Shami hits the seam and stands it up and bowls a good length and straight." Warner added that the Australian bowling unit deserves more credit for the Adelaide Test than criticism faced by the Indian batters. "Yeah, you can have a go at the Indians but I think you would rather give credit to the Australians and how well they bowled," the 51-year-old former leg-spinner said. ALSO READ: None of my business, glad if India are stressed: Justin Langer on being in Ravi Shastri's shoes "They were outstanding, that bowling attack. The four bowlers plus Green, have been good bowlers for a long time. They are turning themselves into great bowlers now. To watch them go to work in Adelaide was fantastic." The former Australian cricketer further opined that the quartet of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are going to end up as Australia’s greatest bowling unit. "They are definitely in the conversation (to compare them to my era). They are outstanding those four bowlers and they have been for a while," Warne said. The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is set to commence from December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia are going to blow India away in Boxing Day Test: Shane Warne

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been put on standby for the third Test if Australia are unable to host India in Sydney following a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.

The New Year’s Test venue has been subject of debate after a new community outbreak emerged in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs last week.

However, CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley said they intend to play the third Test in Sydney, from January 7-11, but would shift bases to Melbourne if the need arises. A final call could be taken during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

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If the third Test is moved to Melbourne, the fourth Test at Brisbane’s Gabba, from January 15, would go ahead as per the schedule.&nbsp;

“We’ve got a range of contingencies for every eventuality,” Hockley told reporters in a Zoom conference.

“If situation worsens in Sydney, one of those options is to stay in Melbourne, play the New Year’s test in Melbourne and then go straight to Brisbane.”

“We’ve been really buoyed by the way that the New South Wales and Sydney communities seem to be getting on top of this.”

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“So we are currently planning all systems go for the New Year’s test to take place in Sydney as scheduled.”

Australia’s most populous city has been isolated from the rest of the country with state borders shut or mandatory 14-day quarantine for Sydney arrivals.

The India team, who lost the Adelaide Test by eight-wickets, would prefer the original schedule, said Hockley who also ruled out playing consecutive Tests in Sydney.&nbsp;

“There’s a relatively short gap between the third and fourth tests, so from a pitch perspective it’s highly, highly problematic,” he said.

The CA is working with the Queensland state government in a bid to get exemptions to allow players, match officials, broadcasters, media and staff to move from Sydney to Brisbane following the third Test if the border was still shut. 
&nbsp;

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been put on standby for the third Test if Australia are unable to host India in Sydney following a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been put on standby for the third Test if Australia are unable to host India in Sydney following a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday. The New Year’s Test venue has been subject of debate after a new community outbreak emerged in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs last week. However, CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley said they intend to play the third Test in Sydney, from January 7-11, but would shift bases to Melbourne if the need arises. A final call could be taken during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. ALSO READ: None of my business, glad if India are stressed: Justin Langer on being in Ravi Shastri's shoes If the third Test is moved to Melbourne, the fourth Test at Brisbane’s Gabba, from January 15, would go ahead as per the schedule. “We’ve got a range of contingencies for every eventuality,” Hockley told reporters in a Zoom conference. “If situation worsens in Sydney, one of those options is to stay in Melbourne, play the New Year’s test in Melbourne and then go straight to Brisbane.” “We’ve been really buoyed by the way that the New South Wales and Sydney communities seem to be getting on top of this.” ALSO READ: Australia set to be unchanged for Boxing Day India Test: Langer “So we are currently planning all systems go for the New Year’s test to take place in Sydney as scheduled.” Australia’s most populous city has been isolated from the rest of the country with state borders shut or mandatory 14-day quarantine for Sydney arrivals. The India team, who lost the Adelaide Test by eight-wickets, would prefer the original schedule, said Hockley who also ruled out playing consecutive Tests in Sydney. “There’s a relatively short gap between the third and fourth tests, so from a pitch perspective it’s highly, highly problematic,” he said. The CA is working with the Queensland state government in a bid to get exemptions to allow players, match officials, broadcasters, media and staff to move from Sydney to Brisbane following the third Test if the border was still shut.

Melbourne on standby for third Test, Sydney still preferred option: Nick Hockley

The biggest talking point in the world of cricket still remains to be India’s 36-run all-out in the second innings which resulted in an eight-wicket win for Australia in Adelaide. Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has weighed his opinion on India’s decimation at the Adelaide Oval in front of the Australian bowling attack.

Tendulkar shared his thoughts on what went so wrong for the Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team in Adelaide. The Master Blaster said opined that the Indian batsmen lacked the basic feet movement while adding that good stride forward against pacers on foreign soil helps batsmen tackle the threat of seaming deliveries.

"I thought in the first innings we batted well and showed a lot of resilience. In the second innings, there was not much playing and missing by our batsmen. The ball wasn't moving around too much; just a little bit. Normally, when batters score runs we don't look at other elements, like the number of times he was beaten etc.," Tendulkar told IANS.

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"But we talk about a number of aspects when the batter has edged the ball. Off similar deliveries, when you are beaten and when you are scoring runs, nobody talks about those. One change that one can talk about was getting a nice, big stride forward, which I felt was missing. In foreign conditions, I feel with a good stride forward against fast bowlers becomes important," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar went on to praise the Australian bowlers for hitting tighter line and lengths outside the off-stump in the second innings which troubled the Indian batters massively.

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"A half-and-half defence (short stride) can always trouble you and if there's a little more movement off the seam then your hands tend to compensate for the lack of footwork. What I also simultaneously noticed was that the Australians bowled very much on off stump -- much, much tighter -- and not outside the off stump whereas they bowled outside the off stump in the first innings," he said.

India, under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, would like to put the Adelaide Horror in the past and focus on bouncing back into the four-match Test series.

The biggest talking point in the world of cricket still remains to be India’s 36-run all-out in the second innings which resulted in an eight-wicket win for Australia in Adelaide.

The biggest talking point in the world of cricket still remains to be India’s 36-run all-out in the second innings which resulted in an eight-wicket win for Australia in Adelaide. Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has weighed his opinion on India’s decimation at the Adelaide Oval in front of the Australian bowling attack. Tendulkar shared his thoughts on what went so wrong for the Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team in Adelaide. The Master Blaster said opined that the Indian batsmen lacked the basic feet movement while adding that good stride forward against pacers on foreign soil helps batsmen tackle the threat of seaming deliveries. "I thought in the first innings we batted well and showed a lot of resilience. In the second innings, there was not much playing and missing by our batsmen. The ball wasn't moving around too much; just a little bit. Normally, when batters score runs we don't look at other elements, like the number of times he was beaten etc.," Tendulkar told IANS. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar to feature in the 'Never Surrender' Christmas campaign by Sevilla FC "But we talk about a number of aspects when the batter has edged the ball. Off similar deliveries, when you are beaten and when you are scoring runs, nobody talks about those. One change that one can talk about was getting a nice, big stride forward, which I felt was missing. In foreign conditions, I feel with a good stride forward against fast bowlers becomes important," Tendulkar said. Tendulkar went on to praise the Australian bowlers for hitting tighter line and lengths outside the off-stump in the second innings which troubled the Indian batters massively. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar to feature in the 'Never Surrender' Christmas campaign by Sevilla FC "A half-and-half defence (short stride) can always trouble you and if there's a little more movement off the seam then your hands tend to compensate for the lack of footwork. What I also simultaneously noticed was that the Australians bowled very much on off stump -- much, much tighter -- and not outside the off stump whereas they bowled outside the off stump in the first innings," he said. India, under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, would like to put the Adelaide Horror in the past and focus on bouncing back into the four-match Test series.

'I felt was missing...': Sachin Tendulkar opines on India’s Adelaide defeat vs Australia

Ahead of the four-match Test series between India and Australia, all eyes were on the Cheteshwar Pujara, whose batting prowess left Aussie bowlers on their knees last time India toured Down Under in 2018-19. Pujara was the highest run-scorer in the series with 521 runs but the Indian Test specialist didn’t look at his best in Adelaide Test where he managed to score just 43 and a duck.&nbsp;

Australian spin great Nathan Lyon has said that the hosts have more surprise in line for Pujara in the remaining three Tests.&nbsp;

"I can't reveal secrets, to be honest with you. But, obviously, Pujara is a world-class batter and he is going to be a big challenge for us for the rest of the series," 33-year-old Lyon said at a virtual press-conference on Wednesday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/gautam-gambhir-gives-his-take-on-team-indias-combination-for-boxing-day-test-vs-australia-351769" hreflang="en">Gautam Gambhir gives his take on Team India's combination for Boxing Day Test vs Australia</a>

"We spoke about him (Pujara) in depth before the series started, it was good to see a couple of plans come off in Adelaide, but we have got a couple more things.

Lyon further said that it is always fun to take on the best batsmen in the world with Pujara being one of them.

"So, hopefully, if he does get in, we can put into ploy...it is always fun challenging yourself against the best players in the world and Pujara is definitely one of those guys," added the senior spinner – who is nine wickets shorts of completing 400 wickets in the five-day format.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ishant-expects-bowlers-captain-rahane-to-fill-kohli-void-351748" hreflang="en">Ishant expects 'bowler's captain' Rahane to fill Kohli void</a>

After a gritty 43 in the first innings, Pujara was send packing for a duck in the second innings with Indian getting bundled out for 36 – their lowest-ever Test innings score.

Without Virat Kohli, the responsibility will be on Pujara and stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane to take the majority of load of scoring runs against Australia. India will be without the likes of Kohli and Mohammed Shami (injured) for the remainder of the Test series vs Australia as massive task awaits for the visitors.

Ahead of the four-match Test series between India and Australia, all eyes were on the Cheteshwar Pujara, whose batting prowess left Aussie bowlers on their knees last time India toured Down Under in 2018-19.

Ahead of the four-match Test series between India and Australia, all eyes were on the Cheteshwar Pujara, whose batting prowess left Aussie bowlers on their knees last time India toured Down Under in 2018-19. Pujara was the highest run-scorer in the series with 521 runs but the Indian Test specialist didn’t look at his best in Adelaide Test where he managed to score just 43 and a duck. Australian spin great Nathan Lyon has said that the hosts have more surprise in line for Pujara in the remaining three Tests. "I can't reveal secrets, to be honest with you. But, obviously, Pujara is a world-class batter and he is going to be a big challenge for us for the rest of the series," 33-year-old Lyon said at a virtual press-conference on Wednesday. ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir gives his take on Team India's combination for Boxing Day Test vs Australia "We spoke about him (Pujara) in depth before the series started, it was good to see a couple of plans come off in Adelaide, but we have got a couple more things. Lyon further said that it is always fun to take on the best batsmen in the world with Pujara being one of them. "So, hopefully, if he does get in, we can put into ploy...it is always fun challenging yourself against the best players in the world and Pujara is definitely one of those guys," added the senior spinner – who is nine wickets shorts of completing 400 wickets in the five-day format. ALSO READ: Ishant expects 'bowler's captain' Rahane to fill Kohli void After a gritty 43 in the first innings, Pujara was send packing for a duck in the second innings with Indian getting bundled out for 36 – their lowest-ever Test innings score. Without Virat Kohli, the responsibility will be on Pujara and stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane to take the majority of load of scoring runs against Australia. India will be without the likes of Kohli and Mohammed Shami (injured) for the remainder of the Test series vs Australia as massive task awaits for the visitors.

Nathan Lyon fires warning for Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of Boxing Day Test

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has called Ajinkya Rahane to take up Virat Kohli’s no. four spot in the batting order for the remainder of the four-match Test series against Australia as the southpaw said that the stand-in skipper needs to lead from the front in the Boxing Day Test.

Gambhir is also in support of India bringing in KL Rahul at number five, which means Pujara at three and Rahane at four for India in the batting order at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The World Cup-winning cricketer also opined that Prithvi Shaw is “low on confidence” and Shubman Gill should take his place in the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26.

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It is being heavily reported that India are looking to make as many as four changes in the squad with Gill replacing Shaw, Rishabh Pant taking Wriddhiman Saha’s place. Mohammed Siraj is set to replace Mohammed Shami with KL Rahul coming in for Virat Kohli. There are chances that Ravindra Jadeja may start ahead of Hanuma Vihari.&nbsp;

"I think he is low on confidence (Prithvi Shaw), that's why I want to see Shubman Gill at the top with Mayank Agarwal. I want to see Cheteshwar Pujara on No: 3, and Ajinkya Rahane on No.4 and not at the 5th spot," Gambhir told Star Sports Cricket Connected.

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"If Rahane is the captain, he has to lead from the front - so, in place of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane should take the 4th spot. KL Rahul should bat at No. 5, Rishabh Pant at 6, Ravindra Jadeja at 7, Ashwin at 8 and then 3 seamers - I want the team to get in with 5 bowlers."

India have already started practising for the Boxing Day Test with the visitors hitting the nets on Wednesday at the MCG. 
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Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has called Ajinkya Rahane to take up Virat Kohli’s no. four spot in the batting order for the remainder of the four-match Test series against Australia as the southpaw said that the stand-in skipper needs to lead from the front in the Boxing Day Test.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has called Ajinkya Rahane to take up Virat Kohli’s no. four spot in the batting order for the remainder of the four-match Test series against Australia as the southpaw said that the stand-in skipper needs to lead from the front in the Boxing Day Test. Gambhir is also in support of India bringing in KL Rahul at number five, which means Pujara at three and Rahane at four for India in the batting order at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The World Cup-winning cricketer also opined that Prithvi Shaw is “low on confidence” and Shubman Gill should take his place in the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26. ALSO READ: Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri? It is being heavily reported that India are looking to make as many as four changes in the squad with Gill replacing Shaw, Rishabh Pant taking Wriddhiman Saha’s place. Mohammed Siraj is set to replace Mohammed Shami with KL Rahul coming in for Virat Kohli. There are chances that Ravindra Jadeja may start ahead of Hanuma Vihari. "I think he is low on confidence (Prithvi Shaw), that's why I want to see Shubman Gill at the top with Mayank Agarwal. I want to see Cheteshwar Pujara on No: 3, and Ajinkya Rahane on No.4 and not at the 5th spot," Gambhir told Star Sports Cricket Connected. ALSO READ: We have opened up some scars: Australia's Joe Burns wants hosts to continue onslaught vs India "If Rahane is the captain, he has to lead from the front - so, in place of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane should take the 4th spot. KL Rahul should bat at No. 5, Rishabh Pant at 6, Ravindra Jadeja at 7, Ashwin at 8 and then 3 seamers - I want the team to get in with 5 bowlers." India have already started practising for the Boxing Day Test with the visitors hitting the nets on Wednesday at the MCG.

Gautam Gambhir gives his take on Team India's combination for Boxing Day Test vs Australia

In what comes as a huge blow to Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami, whose bowling hand was fractured during the third day of the Adelaide Test, has been advised six weeks of rest and will be flying back to India on Wednesday.

Shami will have to undergo a brief period of quarantine in India. The 30-year-old was hit by a bouncer from Aussie pacer Pat Cummins and couldn’t pick the bat in pain. However, in the latest development, Shami will not be available for the remainder of the series due to fractured hand and has been advised six weeks of rest.&nbsp;

"Shami has been advised six weeks of rest and he will be leaving for India on Wednesday," a source told IANS.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/players-will-go-out-new-faces-will-come-in-but-what-about-mr-ravi-shastri-351379" hreflang="en">Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri?</a>

Shami is likely to be fit by the end of January after undergoing six-week rest period and is expected to be available for India’s full-fledged home series against England, scheduled to start from February 4.

Shami’s injury comes at a wrong time for India with the visitors already missing skipper Virat Kohli from second Test onwards. Shami was one of the heroes for India when they visited Down Under in 2018-19 and ended up clinching the historic series 2-1.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini are set to replace Shami in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-hope-mark-waugh-predicts-australia-to-whitewash-india-in-border-gavaskar-trophy-351627" hreflang="en">'No hope': Mark Waugh predicts Australia to whitewash India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

A couple of more changes are expected in the line-up with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul likely to be slotted in for Virat Kohli and Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant set to replace Wriddhiman Saha. Ravindra Jadeja is also in contention to replace Hanuma Vihar in the playing XI, as per reports.

In what comes as a huge blow to Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami, whose bowling hand was fractured during the third day of the Adelaide Test, has been advised six weeks of rest and will be flying back to India on Wednesday.

In what comes as a huge blow to Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami, whose bowling hand was fractured during the third day of the Adelaide Test, has been advised six weeks of rest and will be flying back to India on Wednesday. Shami will have to undergo a brief period of quarantine in India. The 30-year-old was hit by a bouncer from Aussie pacer Pat Cummins and couldn’t pick the bat in pain. However, in the latest development, Shami will not be available for the remainder of the series due to fractured hand and has been advised six weeks of rest. "Shami has been advised six weeks of rest and he will be leaving for India on Wednesday," a source told IANS. ALSO READ: Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri? Shami is likely to be fit by the end of January after undergoing six-week rest period and is expected to be available for India’s full-fledged home series against England, scheduled to start from February 4. Shami’s injury comes at a wrong time for India with the visitors already missing skipper Virat Kohli from second Test onwards. Shami was one of the heroes for India when they visited Down Under in 2018-19 and ended up clinching the historic series 2-1. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini are set to replace Shami in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. ALSO READ: 'No hope': Mark Waugh predicts Australia to whitewash India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy A couple of more changes are expected in the line-up with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul likely to be slotted in for Virat Kohli and Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant set to replace Wriddhiman Saha. Ravindra Jadeja is also in contention to replace Hanuma Vihar in the playing XI, as per reports.

Mohammed Shami advised 6 weeks' rest, to fly back to India on Wednesday

India, after humiliation in Adelaide, will move to Melbourne for the second Test against Australia in a bid to get back into the four-match Test series. India will be without skipper Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (injury) with a massive task looming ahead for the Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, former Australian batsman&nbsp;Mark Waugh has said that there is no way India would be able to avoid a whitewash in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India were dismantled for just 36 runs in the second innings as Australia won the Adelaide Test comfortably by eight wickets. With many predicting India might bounce back in the series, Waugh has said there is ‘no hope’ for the Indian team.

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“I thought Adelaide was the Test that they could win on paper and with Virat Kohli here for just the one Test. I thought the conditions would suit them.

“I just can’t see how they can bounce back (after) Australia whitewashed them on the third day.

“So ‘no’ is the answer four-nil to Australia," Mark Waugh told on Fox Cricket.

Former Aussie wicket-keeper Brad Haddin also backed Waugh’s statement as he said he is not sure whether India would be able to get back the energy on and off the field after the departure of Virat Kohli.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/players-will-go-out-new-faces-will-come-in-but-what-about-mr-ravi-shastri-351379" hreflang="en">Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri?</a>

“If they are going to get back into the game, what I want to know is where they’re going to get their energy from,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket. “Virat Kohli is gone now and a lot of the energy comes off the back of what he does. He’s a world-class player, he’s their leader.

“I would have a look at bringing someone in like Rohit Sharma. If he comes out of quarantine and he’s in good knick and he’s fit enough to play, I’d put him straight in because I think they need a senior player like that to take the anxiety out of everything and just get everyone thinking about cricket again.”

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is likely to play in the third Test, scheduled to be played in Sydney from January 7, upon completing his 14-day mandatory quarantine phase. 
&nbsp;

India, after humiliation in Adelaide, will move to Melbourne for the second Test against Australia in a bid to get back into the four-match Test series. India will be without skipper Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (injury) with a massive task looming ahead for the Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India.

India, after humiliation in Adelaide, will move to Melbourne for the second Test against Australia in a bid to get back into the four-match Test series. India will be without skipper Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (injury) with a massive task looming ahead for the Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, former Australian batsman Mark Waugh has said that there is no way India would be able to avoid a whitewash in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India were dismantled for just 36 runs in the second innings as Australia won the Adelaide Test comfortably by eight wickets. With many predicting India might bounce back in the series, Waugh has said there is ‘no hope’ for the Indian team. ALSO READ: No need to move Rohit Sharma from Sydney, he is safe: BCCI official “I thought Adelaide was the Test that they could win on paper and with Virat Kohli here for just the one Test. I thought the conditions would suit them. “I just can’t see how they can bounce back (after) Australia whitewashed them on the third day. “So ‘no’ is the answer four-nil to Australia," Mark Waugh told on Fox Cricket. Former Aussie wicket-keeper Brad Haddin also backed Waugh’s statement as he said he is not sure whether India would be able to get back the energy on and off the field after the departure of Virat Kohli. ALSO READ: Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri? “If they are going to get back into the game, what I want to know is where they’re going to get their energy from,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket. “Virat Kohli is gone now and a lot of the energy comes off the back of what he does. He’s a world-class player, he’s their leader. “I would have a look at bringing someone in like Rohit Sharma. If he comes out of quarantine and he’s in good knick and he’s fit enough to play, I’d put him straight in because I think they need a senior player like that to take the anxiety out of everything and just get everyone thinking about cricket again.” Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is likely to play in the third Test, scheduled to be played in Sydney from January 7, upon completing his 14-day mandatory quarantine phase.

'No hope': Mark Waugh predicts Australia to whitewash India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

“If you look at the last three years, we [Indian cricket team] have won nine matches overseas and three series (against West Indies and twice in Sri Lanka). I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that have had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it's just about getting tougher mentally,” Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had said about the Indian team with beaming pride in 2018 just after England handed a painful 4-1 Test series defeat.

In July 2017, Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team after Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble (former Indian head coach)&nbsp;didn’t get together well enough, which resulted in the latter resigning from his post – a saga well documented in public.&nbsp;

Since Shastri’s appointment, India have defeated Sri Lanka (home and away), South Africa (home), the West Indies (home and away), Bangladesh (home), Afghanistan (one-off Test at home) and Australia (away) but have suffered glaring defeats against England (away), South Africa (away) and New Zealand (away).

The latest addition into the matches India have played under Shastri’s tenure as head coach is the Adelaide Horror, where the Virat Kohli-led visitors were skittled out for 36 runs in the second innings with none of the batters managing to get to double digits.

<img alt="India vs Australia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b77ee441-0488-46bc-8622-41e15f4c1e9e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8XF7WC.jpg" />

India may well go onto turn the tables and win the series (a mammoth task)&nbsp;but the scars of 36 have been etched into the hearts of the Indian cricket fans forever.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/indias-self-destructive-duo-fire-shastri-and-axe-captain-kohli-save-india-please-bcci-350981" hreflang="en">India's self destructive duo: Fire Shastri and axe captain Kohli, save India please BCCI</a>

Ravi Shastri has always sounded bullish about Indian team and the talent it possesses, no second thought about it because it is indeed a supremely talented bunch of players. The bowling attack is arguably the best Indian team has had so far in their history. The batting unit led by Virat Kohli consists of quality players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari – all of them have stood out in some series or another but the questions remain; is this Indian team utilizing its potential collectively? When will Ravi Shastri and co. start producing results overseas? Why does India often get tactically outclassed on foreign soil?

<img alt="India vs Australia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="179db4ef-827b-4459-ba0c-173edb9ec23a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8XF6G3.jpg" />

India have been dominating home series and that has been the case for long, long before Ravi Shastri. The 2-1 Border Gavaskar Trophy win in 2018-19 was historic, no shadow of doubt about it. Then Australia were without David Warner and Steve Smith, and India pounced on each and every opportunity that came towards them in the series and registered their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil and became the first Asian side to do so. Fair enough. But did the Indian team utilize the momentum and became a better side? No.

Let’s not even go back to Freedom Trophy, when India visited South Africa in 2017-18 or even the Pataudi Trophy, when India visited England in 2018. India lost both the series. Some will say due to poor reading of conditions, many will say India were tactically and technically outclassed by the hosts.&nbsp;

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Just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, India were humiliated by New Zealand and ended up losing the series 2-0. Completely dominated and outclassed by the Kane Williamson-led outfit. Then the pandemic struck and the series drubbing slowly took a backseat amid the chaos of daily life. However, the Adelaide Horror has freshened up the sour memories and fans are asking, what is Ravi Shastri doing to get this talented bunch of players up and running in full flow?

<img alt="Virat Kohli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b9744d3-6c89-487c-a62c-5ed4b16e9117" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8XF4TE.jpg" />

The current Indian squad is pretty much similar to when it visited Down Under in 2018-19. So what went so wrong in Adelaide? The pink-ball? India got ample practice including a warm-up game to gear up for the game. Or is the Indian cricket team bearing the weight of being clueless on the tactical front, especially when it comes to batting? The same old road map which was torn apart by the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in Adelaide.&nbsp;

<img alt="Mayank Agarwal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="152d4b6a-318c-4bbb-b454-f3c2d2650a6d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8XF628.jpg" />

Shastri was handed a contract extension in June 2019, until the ICC World Cup 2021. But has the head coach of the Indian cricket team justified his role and position by suffering defeats after defeats in away series (barring Australia 2018-19) against major opposition?&nbsp;

Good vocabulary and booming voice may sound good in the commentary box or in press conferences - where Ravi Shastri is generally not seen after series defeats. But when it comes to the Indian cricket team, the fans demand result, which in all fairness, has been a disappointing course under Shastri’s tenure - be it in away series or in ICC tournaments. And let’s not even discuss the ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final, where the Indian team was left shattered and clueless by New Zealand bowlers.&nbsp;

<img alt="Ravi Shastri" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ee0eb9e-44d7-4c6f-9c4e-80f2b7730e05" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN955.jpg" />

The Indian cricket team is well capable of coming back strong. These players are a talented bunch. New faces will come in. Players who underperform are often mercilessly cropped out but what about the underperforming head coach of the Indian team? Is there an answer now or will India wait till three forthcoming World Cups, in 2021, 22 and 23? Or if everyone is content with India thrashing Sri Lanka, West Indies or Bangladesh (with all due respect to these teams), then let it be.&nbsp;

“If you look at the last three years, we [Indian cricket team] have won nine matches overseas and three series (against West Indies and twice in Sri Lanka). I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that have had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series.

“If you look at the last three years, we [Indian cricket team] have won nine matches overseas and three series (against West Indies and twice in Sri Lanka). I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that have had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it's just about getting tougher mentally,” Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had said about the Indian team with beaming pride in 2018 just after England handed a painful 4-1 Test series defeat. In July 2017, Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team after Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble (former Indian head coach) didn’t get together well enough, which resulted in the latter resigning from his post – a saga well documented in public. Since Shastri’s appointment, India have defeated Sri Lanka (home and away), South Africa (home), the West Indies (home and away), Bangladesh (home), Afghanistan (one-off Test at home) and Australia (away) but have suffered glaring defeats against England (away), South Africa (away) and New Zealand (away). The latest addition into the matches India have played under Shastri’s tenure as head coach is the Adelaide Horror, where the Virat Kohli-led visitors were skittled out for 36 runs in the second innings with none of the batters managing to get to double digits. India may well go onto turn the tables and win the series (a mammoth task) but the scars of 36 have been etched into the hearts of the Indian cricket fans forever. ALSO READ: India's self destructive duo: Fire Shastri and axe captain Kohli, save India please BCCI Ravi Shastri has always sounded bullish about Indian team and the talent it possesses, no second thought about it because it is indeed a supremely talented bunch of players. The bowling attack is arguably the best Indian team has had so far in their history. The batting unit led by Virat Kohli consists of quality players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari – all of them have stood out in some series or another but the questions remain; is this Indian team utilizing its potential collectively? When will Ravi Shastri and co. start producing results overseas? Why does India often get tactically outclassed on foreign soil? India have been dominating home series and that has been the case for long, long before Ravi Shastri. The 2-1 Border Gavaskar Trophy win in 2018-19 was historic, no shadow of doubt about it. Then Australia were without David Warner and Steve Smith, and India pounced on each and every opportunity that came towards them in the series and registered their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil and became the first Asian side to do so. Fair enough. But did the Indian team utilize the momentum and became a better side? No. Let’s not even go back to Freedom Trophy, when India visited South Africa in 2017-18 or even the Pataudi Trophy, when India visited England in 2018. India lost both the series. Some will say due to poor reading of conditions, many will say India were tactically and technically outclassed by the hosts. ALSO READ: Warne vs Tendulkar, 'Monkeygate': 5 classic Australia vs India encounters Just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, India were humiliated by New Zealand and ended up losing the series 2-0. Completely dominated and outclassed by the Kane Williamson-led outfit. Then the pandemic struck and the series drubbing slowly took a backseat amid the chaos of daily life. However, the Adelaide Horror has freshened up the sour memories and fans are asking, what is Ravi Shastri doing to get this talented bunch of players up and running in full flow? The current Indian squad is pretty much similar to when it visited Down Under in 2018-19. So what went so wrong in Adelaide? The pink-ball? India got ample practice including a warm-up game to gear up for the game. Or is the Indian cricket team bearing the weight of being clueless on the tactical front, especially when it comes to batting? The same old road map which was torn apart by the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in Adelaide. Shastri was handed a contract extension in June 2019, until the ICC World Cup 2021. But has the head coach of the Indian cricket team justified his role and position by suffering defeats after defeats in away series (barring Australia 2018-19) against major opposition? Good vocabulary and booming voice may sound good in the commentary box or in press conferences - where Ravi Shastri is generally not seen after series defeats. But when it comes to the Indian cricket team, the fans demand result, which in all fairness, has been a disappointing course under Shastri’s tenure - be it in away series or in ICC tournaments. And let’s not even discuss the ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final, where the Indian team was left shattered and clueless by New Zealand bowlers. The Indian cricket team is well capable of coming back strong. These players are a talented bunch. New faces will come in. Players who underperform are often mercilessly cropped out but what about the underperforming head coach of the Indian team? Is there an answer now or will India wait till three forthcoming World Cups, in 2021, 22 and 23? Or if everyone is content with India thrashing Sri Lanka, West Indies or Bangladesh (with all due respect to these teams), then let it be.

Players will go out, new faces will come in. But what about Mr Ravi Shastri?

Australian opener Joe Burns came back to form in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, where he scored an unbeaten 51 while chasing 90-run target. Burns has been central to criticism due to his poor form in the longest format of the game but the Aussie opener, after getting backing from the Australian team management, answered his critics with a cracking 51 not-out to help Australia win the Adelaide Test by eight wickets and take 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.

India were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings – their lowest score in Test cricket – and first instance, where none of the Indian players managed to score in double figures. Burns said that Australia have opened up a few scars in the Indian dressing room while adding Virat Kohli (out due to paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (out due to fractured hand) will be big misses for the Indian team.

However, Burns said that despite missing Kohli and Shami, Indian team has world-class players to replace them and expected them to pose tough challenge in the remainder of the series.

"We know we have opened up some scars.

"We just have to prepare well, start well, carry on the momentum from the first Test.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-ind-virat-kohli-to-hold-special-team-meeting-before-leaving-for-india-351326" hreflang="en">AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli to hold special team meeting before leaving for India</a>

"Shami and Virat are obviously big losses for India ... it's always hard to replace world-class players like that.

"In saying that, the Indian team has very good depth as well. So they're still going to be very challenging."

"The next Test is going to play a crucial role in the result of the series," Burns told reporters.

Burns was bullish about Australia being the best team in the world and rightly so as the Baggy Greens will now look to extend their lead at the top of ICC World Test Championship table and book a spot for the final at Lord’s in 2021.&nbsp;

"We're the best team in the world. We're confident against everyone at every venue.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-ind-after-adelaide-horror-indian-team-set-to-make-5-changes-in-playing-xi-351314" hreflang="en">AUS vs IND: After Adelaide horror, Indian team set to make 5 changes in playing XI</a>

"Our bowlers are unbelievable ... they have done it for a long time.

"We know - game in, game out - they're going to be doing that and putting pressure on the opposition. It's a great luxury."

India are now expected to make four or five changes into the playing XI after the Adelaide drubbing with Australia likely to remain unchanged unless David Warner passes his fitness Test ahead of the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australian opener Joe Burns came back to form in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, where he scored an unbeaten 51 while chasing 90-run target. Burns has been central to criticism due to his poor form in the longest format of the game but the Aussie opener, after getting backing from the Australian team management, answered his critics with a cracking 51 not-out to help Australia win the Adelaide Test by eight wickets and take 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.

Australian opener Joe Burns came back to form in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, where he scored an unbeaten 51 while chasing 90-run target. Burns has been central to criticism due to his poor form in the longest format of the game but the Aussie opener, after getting backing from the Australian team management, answered his critics with a cracking 51 not-out to help Australia win the Adelaide Test by eight wickets and take 1-0 lead in the four-Test series. India were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings – their lowest score in Test cricket – and first instance, where none of the Indian players managed to score in double figures. Burns said that Australia have opened up a few scars in the Indian dressing room while adding Virat Kohli (out due to paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (out due to fractured hand) will be big misses for the Indian team. However, Burns said that despite missing Kohli and Shami, Indian team has world-class players to replace them and expected them to pose tough challenge in the remainder of the series. "We know we have opened up some scars. "We just have to prepare well, start well, carry on the momentum from the first Test. ALSO READ: AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli to hold special team meeting before leaving for India "Shami and Virat are obviously big losses for India ... it's always hard to replace world-class players like that. "In saying that, the Indian team has very good depth as well. So they're still going to be very challenging." "The next Test is going to play a crucial role in the result of the series," Burns told reporters. Burns was bullish about Australia being the best team in the world and rightly so as the Baggy Greens will now look to extend their lead at the top of ICC World Test Championship table and book a spot for the final at Lord’s in 2021. "We're the best team in the world. We're confident against everyone at every venue. ALSO READ: AUS vs IND: After Adelaide horror, Indian team set to make 5 changes in playing XI "Our bowlers are unbelievable ... they have done it for a long time. "We know - game in, game out - they're going to be doing that and putting pressure on the opposition. It's a great luxury." India are now expected to make four or five changes into the playing XI after the Adelaide drubbing with Australia likely to remain unchanged unless David Warner passes his fitness Test ahead of the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

We have opened up some scars: Australia's Joe Burns wants hosts to continue onslaught vs India

The Indian cricket team was left red-faced by the brilliance of Australian pacers as the visitors were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, which Australia comfortably won by 8 wickets with two days in hand. While India have plenty of time in hands to turn things around, they would be without their captain Virat Kohli for the remainder of the series with the talismanic batsman set to leave for India on paternity leave.&nbsp;

Before heading back to India, Kohli will hold a special team meeting ahead of the Boxing Day Test in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Indian skipper will try and boost the confidence of the players as the holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy eye a comeback into the four-Test series after going 1-0 down.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-ind-after-adelaide-horror-indian-team-set-to-make-5-changes-in-playing-xi-351314" hreflang="en">AUS vs IND: After Adelaide horror, Indian team set to make 5 changes in playing XI</a>

After getting skittled out for 36 and with no batsman registering scores in double-digits, keeping the team morale high could be an issue and to motivate his teammates, Kohli would be sitting to motivate and provide confidence to the squad.&nbsp;

"The emphasis of the meeting will be to motivate and give confidence to the young boys for the rest of the series," a source told TOI.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead the Indian team for the remaining three Test matches in Kohli’s absence.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/indias-self-destructive-duo-fire-shastri-and-axe-captain-kohli-save-india-please-bcci-350981" hreflang="en">India's self destructive duo: Fire Shastri and axe captain Kohli, save India please BCCI</a>

After the Adelaide disaster, Kohli rued the lack of intent shown by the Indian batsmen on Day 3 of the match as they went on to suffer an eight-wicket defeat.

"Very hard to put those feelings into words. We had a lead of 60-odd coming and just collapsed. When you work hard for two days and put yourself in a strong position and then an hour puts you in a position where it's literally impossible to win," Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

"I think we should have showed a little more intent today. They (Australians) bowled in similar kind of areas in the first innings as well but probably our mindset was to score runs."

The Indian cricket team was left red-faced by the brilliance of Australian pacers as the visitors were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, which Australia comfortably won by 8 wickets with two days in hand.

The Indian cricket team was left red-faced by the brilliance of Australian pacers as the visitors were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, which Australia comfortably won by 8 wickets with two days in hand. While India have plenty of time in hands to turn things around, they would be without their captain Virat Kohli for the remainder of the series with the talismanic batsman set to leave for India on paternity leave. Before heading back to India, Kohli will hold a special team meeting ahead of the Boxing Day Test in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Indian skipper will try and boost the confidence of the players as the holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy eye a comeback into the four-Test series after going 1-0 down. ALSO READ: AUS vs IND: After Adelaide horror, Indian team set to make 5 changes in playing XI After getting skittled out for 36 and with no batsman registering scores in double-digits, keeping the team morale high could be an issue and to motivate his teammates, Kohli would be sitting to motivate and provide confidence to the squad. "The emphasis of the meeting will be to motivate and give confidence to the young boys for the rest of the series," a source told TOI. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead the Indian team for the remaining three Test matches in Kohli’s absence. ALSO READ: India's self destructive duo: Fire Shastri and axe captain Kohli, save India please BCCI After the Adelaide disaster, Kohli rued the lack of intent shown by the Indian batsmen on Day 3 of the match as they went on to suffer an eight-wicket defeat. "Very hard to put those feelings into words. We had a lead of 60-odd coming and just collapsed. When you work hard for two days and put yourself in a strong position and then an hour puts you in a position where it's literally impossible to win," Kohli said in the post-match presentation. "I think we should have showed a little more intent today. They (Australians) bowled in similar kind of areas in the first innings as well but probably our mindset was to score runs."

AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli to hold special team meeting before leaving for India

The Indian cricket team suffered utter humiliation in their eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test as Australia got off to a perfect start to take an early 1-0 lead into the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy. For the first time in their history, none of the Indian batsmen got into double figures while registering the lowest Test score for India. And after the Adelaide horror, Indian team is set to make landslide changes into the playing XI for the second Test, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26.

According to a report in TOI, Indian team is set to make as many as five changes in the playing XI. Two of the five changes come forced with Virat Kohli leaving for India and Mohammed Shami down and out with a fractured hand. Apart from Kohli and Shami, the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari are also expected to warm the bench in the Boxing Day Test.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/will-crickets-bubble-burst-in-2021-351308" hreflang="en">Will cricket's bubble burst in 2021?</a>

Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and either of Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini are set to be included in the playing XI as Indian team looks to bounce back after a catastrophic performance in Adelaide.&nbsp;

"Opener Prithvi Shaw could be replaced by KL Rahul, talented youngster Shubhman Gill will make his Test debut, replacing skipper Virat Kohli at No 4. Hanuma Vihari may make way for the fit-again Ravindra Jadeja. Wriddhiman Saha could lose his wicketkeeper's spot to Rishabh Pant, and either of Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini can replace injured pacer Mohammed Shami," a BCCI source told TOI.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/warne-vs-tendulkar-monkeygate-5-classic-australia-vs-india-encounters-349950" hreflang="en">Warne vs Tendulkar, 'Monkeygate': 5 classic Australia vs India encounters</a>

Gill is likely to be slotted in at number four, the spot Virat Kohli bats in Test cricket while Rahul is expected to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal. Pant will come in as a natural replacement for Saha with Jadeja, if fit, likely to get in the team in place of Vihari, whose exclusion will come as a surprise if it happens.

With Siraj and Saini fighting for the third seamer’s spot in Shami’s absence, it would be interesting to see whom the Indian team management picks in the final team.

The Indian cricket team suffered utter humiliation in their eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test as Australia got off to a perfect start to take an early 1-0 lead into the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian cricket team suffered utter humiliation in their eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test as Australia got off to a perfect start to take an early 1-0 lead into the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy. For the first time in their history, none of the Indian batsmen got into double figures while registering the lowest Test score for India. And after the Adelaide horror, Indian team is set to make landslide changes into the playing XI for the second Test, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26. According to a report in TOI, Indian team is set to make as many as five changes in the playing XI. Two of the five changes come forced with Virat Kohli leaving for India and Mohammed Shami down and out with a fractured hand. Apart from Kohli and Shami, the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari are also expected to warm the bench in the Boxing Day Test. ALSO READ: Will cricket's bubble burst in 2021? Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and either of Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini are set to be included in the playing XI as Indian team looks to bounce back after a catastrophic performance in Adelaide. "Opener Prithvi Shaw could be replaced by KL Rahul, talented youngster Shubhman Gill will make his Test debut, replacing skipper Virat Kohli at No 4. Hanuma Vihari may make way for the fit-again Ravindra Jadeja. Wriddhiman Saha could lose his wicketkeeper's spot to Rishabh Pant, and either of Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini can replace injured pacer Mohammed Shami," a BCCI source told TOI. ALSO READ: Warne vs Tendulkar, 'Monkeygate': 5 classic Australia vs India encounters Gill is likely to be slotted in at number four, the spot Virat Kohli bats in Test cricket while Rahul is expected to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal. Pant will come in as a natural replacement for Saha with Jadeja, if fit, likely to get in the team in place of Vihari, whose exclusion will come as a surprise if it happens. With Siraj and Saini fighting for the third seamer’s spot in Shami’s absence, it would be interesting to see whom the Indian team management picks in the final team.

AUS vs IND: After Adelaide horror, Indian team set to make 5 changes in playing XI

Cricket Australia on Friday said that the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India is still on despite a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney. The CA said that the situation is being closely monitored but was confident of pulling off the Test match.

Australian cricket authorities were put on alert after number of coronavirus cases in Sydney reached 28 on Friday. The third Test between India and Australia at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is slated to be played from January 7.&nbsp;

"There's been lots of discussion and meetings of our medical experts, but this is the reason why throughout the summer we've had our players in bubbles in the hub," CA's interim chief executive Nick Hockley told SEN Radio.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/this-is-a-personal-decision-pcb-reacts-to-mohammad-amirs-decision-to-retire-from-international-cricket-350499" hreflang="en">'This is a personal decision': PCB reacts to Mohammad Amir's decision to retire from international cricket</a>

"We're monitoring the situation; we're not panicking at all, staying calm... ... it's really watch, wait and see and I think the governments around the country have handled the pandemic so well, so we'll watch, learn and stay in touch."

On whether the SCG Test was in doubt, Hockley said: "I don't think so - this is the very reason why we have the hubs in place... "... whether it's the WBBL players, the BBL players, the BCCI, our own Australia squads, they have been absolutely fantastic in dealing with all the protocols.

"Our medical experts have been working around the clock, we're in very good communication with health authorities around the country. It's one of the things we've had to navigate with getting cricket up safely."&nbsp;

The latest Sydney outbreak has already had an impact on the broadcasters with former Aussie pacer and Fox Cricket commentator Brett Lee decided to go back home in northern Sydney. Whereas two Sydney-based members of the broadcasters returned back to their home base while two others decided to work from hotel.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-virat-kohli-suffers-run-out-after-terrible-mix-up-with-ajinkya-rahane-in-adelaide-test-350471" hreflang="en">Watch: Virat Kohli suffers run-out after terrible mix-up with Ajinkya Rahane in Adelaide Test</a>

"If the game can be played safely (in Sydney) then we'll play it there. That's our starting point, so it's working with the health authorities to ascertain that," he said.

"We started out thinking how to play the full series as safely as possible, and we'll take the same approach over the coming days and weeks.&nbsp;

"We've got contingency plans around a whole range of different options, and we've had to be agile all the way through. We were encouraged that it was 17 cases yesterday and ten today, and we'll see how that plays out over the next 72 hours."&nbsp;

Before the third Test, the second match is scheduled to start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Deceber 26 and its chief Stuart Fox said they are open to supporting CA if need be.&nbsp;

"We hope that doesn't happen to Sydney. We know what it's like to lose a major event. For us, all focus is on the Boxing Day Test," he was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "We're here to support Cricket Australia if need be." 
&nbsp;

Cricket Australia on Friday said that the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India is still on despite a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.

Cricket Australia on Friday said that the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India is still on despite a fresh COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney. The CA said that the situation is being closely monitored but was confident of pulling off the Test match. Australian cricket authorities were put on alert after number of coronavirus cases in Sydney reached 28 on Friday. The third Test between India and Australia at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground is slated to be played from January 7. "There's been lots of discussion and meetings of our medical experts, but this is the reason why throughout the summer we've had our players in bubbles in the hub," CA's interim chief executive Nick Hockley told SEN Radio. ALSO READ:'This is a personal decision': PCB reacts to Mohammad Amir's decision to retire from international cricket "We're monitoring the situation; we're not panicking at all, staying calm... ... it's really watch, wait and see and I think the governments around the country have handled the pandemic so well, so we'll watch, learn and stay in touch." On whether the SCG Test was in doubt, Hockley said: "I don't think so - this is the very reason why we have the hubs in place... "... whether it's the WBBL players, the BBL players, the BCCI, our own Australia squads, they have been absolutely fantastic in dealing with all the protocols. "Our medical experts have been working around the clock, we're in very good communication with health authorities around the country. It's one of the things we've had to navigate with getting cricket up safely." The latest Sydney outbreak has already had an impact on the broadcasters with former Aussie pacer and Fox Cricket commentator Brett Lee decided to go back home in northern Sydney. Whereas two Sydney-based members of the broadcasters returned back to their home base while two others decided to work from hotel. ALSO READ: Watch: Virat Kohli suffers run-out after terrible mix-up with Ajinkya Rahane in Adelaide Test "If the game can be played safely (in Sydney) then we'll play it there. That's our starting point, so it's working with the health authorities to ascertain that," he said. "We started out thinking how to play the full series as safely as possible, and we'll take the same approach over the coming days and weeks. "We've got contingency plans around a whole range of different options, and we've had to be agile all the way through. We were encouraged that it was 17 cases yesterday and ten today, and we'll see how that plays out over the next 72 hours." Before the third Test, the second match is scheduled to start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Deceber 26 and its chief Stuart Fox said they are open to supporting CA if need be. "We hope that doesn't happen to Sydney. We know what it's like to lose a major event. For us, all focus is on the Boxing Day Test," he was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "We're here to support Cricket Australia if need be."

SCG Test on despite Sydney COVID-19 outbreak, situation being monitored by Cricket Australia

Australia and India renew their fierce rivalry in a four-Test series that begins with a day-night game in Adelaide on Thursday.&nbsp;

India won a Test series for the first time Down Under when the sides clashed two years ago and Australia are determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.&nbsp;

Here are five things to watch out for in the highly anticipated series:

<h2>- Kohli's lone shot -</h2>

India captain Virat Kohli will be desperate to make a winning contribution in his only chance of a Test victory against Australia this series -- he has decided to return home after Adelaide to be with his Bollywood actress wife, Anushka Sharma, who is expecting their first child.&nbsp;

After India lost 2-1 in the recent one-dayers, Kohli showed his importance to the side during the Twenty20 series victory. And pundits, including Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, believe his departure will leave a "void" in the batting line-up.&nbsp;

But other India veterans have suggested Kohli's absence could enable a new star to emerge in the side, which will be led by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane once Kohli leaves.

<h2>- Smith returns -</h2>

Steve Smith is playing down calls for him to become Australia's captain again, insisting he is just "excited" to feature in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy clashes after missing out two years ago.&nbsp;

The prolific 31-year-old batsman was left powerless on the sidelines as India won their first series in Australia in 2018-19 while he and David Warner served out bans for ball-tampering.&nbsp;

Smith, who amassed 774 runs, including three centuries as Australia retained the Ashes in England last year, said "I will do what is best for the team" despite former players such as Adam Gilchrist calling for him to step up for a second crack at the captaincy.&nbsp;

<h2>- Hard day's night -</h2>

Australia start as overwhelming favourites in the opening Test having never been beaten in their seven day-night matches to date, while Virat Kohli's India play their first overseas game under lights after their maiden pink-ball outing in Kolkata last year against Bangladesh.&nbsp;

India long resisted twilight encounters, but Tendulkar told AFP he believed their players would be ready having played warm-up games and had intensive net sessions with the pink ball this week.&nbsp;

"They would have studied how the Adelaide pitch plays during day-night Test match and what is the time to accelerate and go for runs," he said, adding the first daylight session each day could be the time for batsmen to cash in.

<h2>- Pitch battles -</h2>

India's fast-bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, are ready to fight fire with fire in Australia's own den.&nbsp;

The pacey pair shared five wickets as they bundled out Australia A for 108 and signalled their intent to enjoy bowling on wickets Down Under that are renowned for providing extra pace and bounce.&nbsp;

Australia's three-pronged attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood "can surpass any era" of quicks, according to former paceman Brett Lee, but India coach Anil Kumble countered that his attack was their equal. "We probably match our fast bowling to their fast bowling," he said.

<h2>- Send in the crowds -</h2>

Australia and New Zealand have been the first countries to welcome back spectators to cricket since the pandemic -- the Adelaide Oval will be half full for the first Test while 30,000 should be allowed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Boxing Day.&nbsp;

Indian cricket chief Sourav Ganguly tweeted a picture of a full house as New Zealand played a Test last week against the West Indies at Basin Reserve, Wellington, writing "the game needs this".

But players, with a lucrative series on the line, will be wary of sticking to coronavirus prevention protocols after other tours were disrupted this month.

Pakistan were banned from training under quarantine in New Zealand after eight players tested positive. England abandoned their tour of South Africa after Covid-19 cases in both camps, though the England players later returned negative tests.&nbsp;

Australia and India renew their fierce rivalry in a four-Test series that begins with a day-night game in Adelaide on Thursday. India won a Test series for the first time Down Under when the sides clashed two years ago and Australia are determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia and India renew their fierce rivalry in a four-Test series that begins with a day-night game in Adelaide on Thursday. India won a Test series for the first time Down Under when the sides clashed two years ago and Australia are determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here are five things to watch out for in the highly anticipated series: - Kohli's lone shot - India captain Virat Kohli will be desperate to make a winning contribution in his only chance of a Test victory against Australia this series -- he has decided to return home after Adelaide to be with his Bollywood actress wife, Anushka Sharma, who is expecting their first child. After India lost 2-1 in the recent one-dayers, Kohli showed his importance to the side during the Twenty20 series victory. And pundits, including Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, believe his departure will leave a "void" in the batting line-up. But other India veterans have suggested Kohli's absence could enable a new star to emerge in the side, which will be led by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane once Kohli leaves. - Smith returns - Steve Smith is playing down calls for him to become Australia's captain again, insisting he is just "excited" to feature in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy clashes after missing out two years ago. The prolific 31-year-old batsman was left powerless on the sidelines as India won their first series in Australia in 2018-19 while he and David Warner served out bans for ball-tampering. Smith, who amassed 774 runs, including three centuries as Australia retained the Ashes in England last year, said "I will do what is best for the team" despite former players such as Adam Gilchrist calling for him to step up for a second crack at the captaincy. - Hard day's night - Australia start as overwhelming favourites in the opening Test having never been beaten in their seven day-night matches to date, while Virat Kohli's India play their first overseas game under lights after their maiden pink-ball outing in Kolkata last year against Bangladesh. India long resisted twilight encounters, but Tendulkar told AFP he believed their players would be ready having played warm-up games and had intensive net sessions with the pink ball this week. "They would have studied how the Adelaide pitch plays during day-night Test match and what is the time to accelerate and go for runs," he said, adding the first daylight session each day could be the time for batsmen to cash in. - Pitch battles - India's fast-bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, are ready to fight fire with fire in Australia's own den. The pacey pair shared five wickets as they bundled out Australia A for 108 and signalled their intent to enjoy bowling on wickets Down Under that are renowned for providing extra pace and bounce. Australia's three-pronged attack of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood "can surpass any era" of quicks, according to former paceman Brett Lee, but India coach Anil Kumble countered that his attack was their equal. "We probably match our fast bowling to their fast bowling," he said. - Send in the crowds - Australia and New Zealand have been the first countries to welcome back spectators to cricket since the pandemic -- the Adelaide Oval will be half full for the first Test while 30,000 should be allowed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Boxing Day. Indian cricket chief Sourav Ganguly tweeted a picture of a full house as New Zealand played a Test last week against the West Indies at Basin Reserve, Wellington, writing "the game needs this". But players, with a lucrative series on the line, will be wary of sticking to coronavirus prevention protocols after other tours were disrupted this month. Pakistan were banned from training under quarantine in New Zealand after eight players tested positive. England abandoned their tour of South Africa after Covid-19 cases in both camps, though the England players later returned negative tests.

Kohli, Smith, pace and pink balls: what to watch when Australia face India

Former Australian captain Allan Border has acknowledged the contribution of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/ipl">Indian Premier League (IPL)</a> in breaking the ice between Indian and Australian players while cooling down the tempers that used to flare on the pitch.&nbsp;

Australia and India are set to take on each other in a four-match Test series starting Thursday at the Adelaide Oval. Border, while speaking during a media interaction, said that there was a clash of cultures earlier but the rivalry was always competitive while adding that IPL ended that barrier between players.

“I think Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) talked about (in a media article) that there was always a little bit of clash, clash of cultures between Australians and Indians. We play the game a certain way, we are brought up to play the game in an aggressive manner. We use swear words a lot in our natural conversation without meaning anything by it. Whereas in India, sometimes the players used to take offence with the way we were,” Border said.

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/warner-vs-tendulkar-monkeygate-5-classic-australia-vs-india-encounters-349950" hreflang="en">Warner vs Tendulkar, 'Monkeygate': 5 classic Australia vs India encounters</a>

“That clash of cultures has been addressed in recent times because of the IPL. Because you have got Australians and South Africans and Indians, the different cultures playing in one franchise you get to know each other a lot better. The appreciation is what makes different people tick when you are in the same dressing room compared to opposing dressing rooms. I think that has helped the Indians and Australians and the way, the mannerisms out in the field. But don’t mistake the smiling assassins (Tim Paine’s Australians). They will be friendly alright but they will be keen to be the Australian boys because they really rate this series very highly,” added Border.

The former Australian admitted that Virat Kohli perfectly represents the changing face of Indian cricket, backing Greg Chappell’s comments of Kohli being the most Australian non-Australian. Border said Kohli’s involvement in the game sets him apart from his peers and added that he likes Kohli’s passion on the field.&nbsp;

“We just love the way he plays cricket. You can see in his body language out on the ground. He lives and breathes every minute. He is out there, he just loves it. There is a bit more chat out on the ground. He talks to his own players and opposition. He is in the contest more so than the other Indian players we have seen in the past,” said Border before describing the new Indian cricketer.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-ricky-ponting-picks-his-australia-playing-xi-for-dn-test-349918" hreflang="en">IND vs AUS: Ricky Ponting picks his Australia playing XI for D/N Test</a>

“What we talk in this country is about the new Indian cricketer. He has got tattoes. Married to a Bollywood actress. He is a very feisty competitor and not to say that other Indians aren’t like that. But he just wears his heart on the sleeve. I suppose he tends to play cricket like some of us tend to. He is very much liked in these shores. He is a seriously good player — that is obviously there, but I like that passion he brings to the game,” added Border.

Former Australian captain Allan Border has acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in breaking the ice between Indian and Australian players while cooling down the tempers that used to flare on the pitch.

Former Australian captain Allan Border has acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in breaking the ice between Indian and Australian players while cooling down the tempers that used to flare on the pitch. Australia and India are set to take on each other in a four-match Test series starting Thursday at the Adelaide Oval. Border, while speaking during a media interaction, said that there was a clash of cultures earlier but the rivalry was always competitive while adding that IPL ended that barrier between players. “I think Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) talked about (in a media article) that there was always a little bit of clash, clash of cultures between Australians and Indians. We play the game a certain way, we are brought up to play the game in an aggressive manner. We use swear words a lot in our natural conversation without meaning anything by it. Whereas in India, sometimes the players used to take offence with the way we were,” Border said. IN PICS | Warner vs Tendulkar, 'Monkeygate': 5 classic Australia vs India encounters “That clash of cultures has been addressed in recent times because of the IPL. Because you have got Australians and South Africans and Indians, the different cultures playing in one franchise you get to know each other a lot better. The appreciation is what makes different people tick when you are in the same dressing room compared to opposing dressing rooms. I think that has helped the Indians and Australians and the way, the mannerisms out in the field. But don’t mistake the smiling assassins (Tim Paine’s Australians). They will be friendly alright but they will be keen to be the Australian boys because they really rate this series very highly,” added Border. The former Australian admitted that Virat Kohli perfectly represents the changing face of Indian cricket, backing Greg Chappell’s comments of Kohli being the most Australian non-Australian. Border said Kohli’s involvement in the game sets him apart from his peers and added that he likes Kohli’s passion on the field. “We just love the way he plays cricket. You can see in his body language out on the ground. He lives and breathes every minute. He is out there, he just loves it. There is a bit more chat out on the ground. He talks to his own players and opposition. He is in the contest more so than the other Indian players we have seen in the past,” said Border before describing the new Indian cricketer. ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Ricky Ponting picks his Australia playing XI for D/N Test “What we talk in this country is about the new Indian cricketer. He has got tattoes. Married to a Bollywood actress. He is a very feisty competitor and not to say that other Indians aren’t like that. But he just wears his heart on the sleeve. I suppose he tends to play cricket like some of us tend to. He is very much liked in these shores. He is a seriously good player — that is obviously there, but I like that passion he brings to the game,” added Border.

IPL turned foes to friends, says Allan Border ahead of India vs Australia series