Indian team has announced its squad for the next two Test matches of the series. The series is levelled at 1-1, after India came back strongly in the second Test match in Bengaluru. Indian team remains unchanged from the previous Test, with Murali Vijay makes a comeback after a minor injury. The third and crucial Test takes place in Ranchi, which ironically happens to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s hometown. In fact, there were reports Dhoni had paid a visit to the ground, early in the morning.
TEAM for last two #INDvAUS Tests: Virat (C),Vijay,Rahul,Pujara,Rahane, Nair, Ashwin, Jadeja, Saha,Ishant,Umesh,Jayant,Bhuvi, Kuldeep, Mukund
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2017
It will be great to have the services of Murali Vijay again in the mix, he will join KL Rahul at the top. Rahul, who is the Man of the Match from the last match is in red hot form. With his old partner coming back, he will feel at home. Cheteshwar Pujara will be there at number 3, he too found rhythm in the last game.
Meanwhile, the series has got heated up, thanks to the DRS gate, starring Steven Smith, supported by Peter Handscomb. Virat Kohli was just short of calling his visiting counterpart as a ‘cheat’, well he did not that is different.
The entire tale is bound to hurt team Australia’s mindset in the dressing room, even if they deny it. As both the teams get moving east, they will know that no team is going to part an inch, you have to earn everything.
Mitchell Starc will come hard at the Indians, so will David Warner, who is due for a big one in this series. Both the Australian spinners have tasted success and are at the top of their games, which is a danger that looms large in front of Virat Kohli and team. It is set to be a mouthwatering contest for sure, a cricket fans delight. India will also chase their seventh consecutive series win, which is a big feat. As I go, I leave you with the moment that saw India square the series against Australia.
Jai Hind #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/fNjxERrqQV
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2017
Ironically, Virat Kohli received the iconic Polly Umrigar Trophy from Farookh Engineer. The speech is worth a watch.
VIDEO: @imVkohli receives the Polly Umrigar Award https://t.co/Y6lk34KCo6 #NAMAN #BCCIawards
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2017
Ravichandran Ashwin who to received the Dilip Sardesai award is in red hot form as well, so is his partner-in-crime Ravindra Jadeja. Undoubtedly, India will start outright favourites after they showed resilience and spine to come out trumps after parting a lead of 87 runs in the first innings. Here is what ICC Cricketer of the Year Ravichandran Ashwin.
VIDEO: @ashwinravi99 receives the Dilip Sardesai Award https://t.co/5nyh0cJbrm #NAMAN #BCCIawards
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2017
.@imVkohli receives the Polly Umrigar award #Naman pic.twitter.com/eLewm11UVa
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2017
That is the blue-eyed boy of Indian cricket Virat Kohli receives the prestigious award. While receiving the award he also said a few gentle words, hear it to feel how humble the person he is.
#Grateful to be able to receive the @BCCI Polly Umrigar Trophy for the third time. Thanks to all those who have believed in me. #NAMAN https://t.co/WsG3JRA3yS
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 9, 2017
And for one last we leave you with the legend himself, Farokh Engineer, mind-numbing, as they say.
VIDEO: Farokh Engineer delivers the 5th MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture https://t.co/8uDJOA6K3x #NAMAN #BCCIawards
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 8, 2017
