India in Australia, 3rd Test, Day 5: Can Tourists Win to Save Series?

It has been a verbal contest as much as it has been about the battle between bat and ball. After four days of grueling cricket that reaffirms the faith in Test cricket, Australia and India look to have the final say in the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Live updates from Day Five here:

Scorecard | Day 4 recap

Virat Kohli is on a high after a ton in the 1st innings of the Melbourne Test. Can he stage a repeat in the second innings to take India to a much-needed win against Australia.

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At the end of four days of cricket, Australia seized advantage on Monday by finishing the day on 261/7. A cushion of a 326-run lead will boost the morale in the dressing room of the hosts but a talented Indian batting line-up is well-known for springing surprises. No target will guarantee a win even if batting on the final day is likely to be an uphill task.

Players from both sides are all charged-up - especially Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson. While the Aussie bowler has had a good series, he has been rather jaded in the ongoing Test so far. He has tried sledging and banter but Kohli gave it back to him in equal measure en route to 169 in the first innings. If India are to win the Test and stay alive in the series, India's vice-captain will have to stage an encore of his knock - with or without the heated words.

Another man to watch out for on the final day - as far as the Indians are concerned - would be Ajinkya Rahane. With the focus on Kohli, Rahane has a golden chance to become the unlikely hero in Melbourne. In the first innings, the Mumbai batsman hit 147 crucial runs.

For the Australians, Johnson would be looking to heal his 1st innings wounds. The focus would be as much on Kohli as it would be on the fiery pacer. Therefore, spinner Nathan Lyon too has the potential of becoming the hero as the wily bowler can outfox batsmen on the Day Five track.

India are trailing 2-0 in the four-Test series and need to win on Tuesday to stay alive in the series. The fourth and final Test starts in Sydney from January 6.

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Shweta Pandey

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