IndvsAus, 4th Test: Match Preview

Dharamsala: The stage is set for the final countdown amid the clouds of uncertainty over Indian skipper Virat Kohli's availability for the series-decider, beginning from Saturday.

Virat did not take part in the practice session and said that he will play only if he will be 100 per cent fit for the big game at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium here.

The shoulder injury of captain Kohli has made team management to call Shreyas Iyer as cover for the former in the fourth and final Test match of the four-match series.

Iyer has remained impressive in domestic Cricket in the lights of his recent knocks. Playing for India A, he had slammed a double ton against Kangaroos in the only practice match. The Maharashtra boy has all the qualities to fill the no. 4 spot in the absence of Kohli.

Indians, however, will be hoping Virat to play and answer the harsh verbal attacks of Australian media with some stellar performance.

If former Australian skipper Steve Waugh is to be believed, Virat Kohli and brigade will have a lot of pressure as being the home side, they are expected to emerge victorious in the contest.

Also read: Big B goes sarcastic to attack Australian media; supports Virat

KL Rahul, Murali Vijay and Wriddhiman Saha will have to continue their brilliance while Cheteshwar Pujara is in the form of his life. Karun Nair and Ajinkya Rahane have to pull up their socks before it’s too late.

Ravindra Jadeja has remained one of the major charms in the IndvsAus series, primarily with the bowl and also with bat.

Dropping Mitchell Marsh has turned out to be a good decision for Australia as his replacement Glenn Maxwell made a solid comeback in the red ball Cricket with a ton.

Australia skipper and top ranked Test batsman Steven Smith has been all-time-favourite.

Patt Cummins, who had replaced injured Mitchell Starc, was bit lethal for the Indians while other bowlers especially spinners Steve O-Keefe and Nathan Lyon were proven spineless.

Also read: I can play even after World Cup 2019, says MS Dhoni

Visit slides for pics of practice session: