Can `Ajinkya` India continue the momentum?

 SCG-Third test curtain raiser - 

Can `Ajinkya` India continue the momentum?

Its 1-1 in Australia now with 2 more tests to go. India bounced back to level the series. Now can Team India continue to remain Ajinkya? Can Indian bowlers continue to dominate Australian batting? With hosts still struggling to cross 200 in any of their completed innings so far. Bumrah and Ashwin have managed quite well so far to keep the totals in check. This leading duo, managed this with excellent support from debutant Siraj and Jadeja in Melbourne, even without Shami after first test and Yadav in the last innings of second. Speedster Navdeep Saini is getting opportunity in place of injured Umesh Yadav, ahead of Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan. Rohit Sharma is replacing out of form Mayank. With K L Rahul`s injury in the nets, Vihari has retained his place in the playing eleven. Batting is revolving around Captain Ajinkya Rahane. India is hopeful to strengthen the batting with Rohit`s inclusion, though he is totally without any match practice for more than a month now. Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari`s form is still a bit concern. Shubman has shown a great promise with his positive approach in his first test as opener. India again hoping to get good support from lower order of Rishabh Pant and Ajay Jadeja, to raise a good competitive total, against this high quality Aussie bowling attack.

Australia is also struggling to cope with their opening batsmen in the absence of David Warner. So rushing with his fitness to include him in the third test. Australia need confidence in top order with Smith and others are still struggling with scoring runs. Young Pucovski is likely to make debut, though he is bit susceptible against short pitched bowling. With innovative, tight leg-side dominated field settings, by Rahane and middle and leg stump attack by Ashwin and Bumrah, Aussies are still struggling to find a way to score freely.

So let`s again hope for a thrilling encounter at SCG - Sidney Cricket Ground, Thursday 7^th January morning onwards.