Australia vs India: Michael Hussey backs an Indian player to play the Boxing Day Test

Team combination is something which has come under the scanner every time Team India has lost an overseas Test this year. The latest example is of Perth Test when Virat Kohli decided to go with an all pace attack bluffed by the green pitch and ended up being flummoxed by Nathan Lyon who was awarded the Man of the Match as well. With the series levelled at 1-1, Michael Hussey feels that the conditions in Melbourne are different and has backed the all-rounder Hardik Pandya to play the third Test.

The Boxing Day Test will effectively be the series clincher now which will start on December 26. Hussey pointed out how the conditions were unique in Adelaide and Perth and felt that the all-round option will help the fast bowlers who have been constantly toiling hard for wickets.

“Conditions in Perth were quite unique and in Melbourne conditions will be totally different. I thought the Indian fast bowling unit has bowled beautifully in this series. They bowled a lot of overs in Adelaide and Perth in hot conditions, but had to work hard [for Australian wickets],” he was quoted as saying by India Today.

He is like Mitch Marsh

Michael Hussey also compared Pandya with Mitchell Marsh and added that the fate of the series will be decided on how well the bowling attacks of both the sides will recover after a decent break. “He [Pandya] is a bit like Mitchell Marsh, when he is in form. You get an extra bowling option that can take a little load away from the pacers particularly as the four-match series wears on. So this [bowling all-rounder] is something for both sides to look at,” the former Australian said.

All the eyes will now be on Team India as they announce their playing tweleve 24 hours before the Test match. There are fitness concerns over Ravi Ashwin and if he is not fit, then Ravindra Jadeja might finally play after missing out in Perth.

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