Why Bird could fly into fourth Test XI

In a series where they've dared to be bold, Australia haven't ruled out making the brave selection call of playing three specialist fast bowlers in the fourth Test in Dharamsala.

Quick Single: Injured Kohli in doubt for decider

While the composition of Australia's XI for the winner-takes-all Border-Gavaskar Trophy series finale will be announced at the toss, there is a possibility reserve quick Jackson Bird will be vaulted into the starting line-up in the place of a specialist spinner.

That decision, however, will be determined by the pitch, according to captain Steve Smith.

"We'll have another look tomorrow and see what (the pitch) looks like then but there's a little bit of grass," Smith said today.

"The groundsman thinks the first three days it won't take much spin.

Quick Single: Colombo carnage to Dharamsala Decider

"He thinks it will have good pace and carry.

"It's a bit different to what we were kind of expecting."

The groundsman Smith was referring to is curator Sunil Chauhan, an almost mystical mountain man who wears a broad-brimmed cowboy hat, commands his groundstaff with a whistle and whose economy of words would rival the late Richie Benaud.

"It will behave as it has done naturally here," Chauhan told Times of India on Wednesday.

"It will stay fast and bouncy.

Quick Single: Shades of Waugh, Ponting in Kohli

"Our pitch is one of the most difficult for the batsmen (facing fast bowlers) in the Ranji Trophy and its nature won't be altered.

"Our preparation is the same and efforts are focused at providing a track that a five-day game needs, with something in it for everyone."

An investigation into the three first-class matches played at the HPCA Stadium which boasts perhaps the most scenic backdrop in world cricket, suggest Chauhan could be on to something.

Of the 99 wickets to fall across the trio of 2016-17 Ranji Trophy matches, 89 were taken by pace bowlers.

Those figures and the diagnosis by curator Chauhan means Australia could have a selection headache heading into the series decider.

However, former Australia captain Steve Waugh wants to see the visitors stick with the same XI that competed in Ranchi.

Quick Single: Making a mockery of 'whitewash' calls

"I really admired the way the side fought hard in that last Test match," Waugh said in a live chat on his Facebook page.

"Cummins came into the side and made a huge impact, while batting-wise Shaun Marsh did a really good job together with (Peter) Handscomb.

"All the batsmen are pretty much in form and I think David Warner is ready for a big score.

"From an Australian point of view, I don't see value in changing that side from the last Test match.

Quick Single: Waugh wants same XI for fourth Test

"I thought they were very impressive the way they came out of it surviving on that last day. They'll take a lot of confidence (from that)."

"I think the big bonus for Australia for this Test match is Pat Cummins. I like the way he's come into the side and together with Hazlewood they can form a really potent opening partnership.

"If there's any life in the pitch, they'll be really crucial."

Following his first Test in five-and-a-half years, speedster Cummins had cautionary scans that that have come back all clear.

Cummins and new-ball partner Hazlewood did a mountain of work in Ranchi as Australia slugged it out for 210 overs in the field during India's first innings of 9-603 declared.

Quick Single: Cummins given all-clear for decider

While the pitch, as it has throughout the entire tour, will again be the focus in the lead-up to the match, India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara says the wicket will not be an issue for the hosts.

"It looks like a good wicket," Pujara said on Thursday.

"We have played a lot of cricket in Dharamsala, even first-class cricket to know the conditions.

"We'll just try to focus on things we want to focus on rather than worrying about how the wicket will behave.

"We have played enough cricket on different pitches throughout the season. I don't think the wicket will matter a lot us.

"We are confident the way we have played throughout the series, apart from the first Test match, we have played very good cricket.

"We would look to continue that and win the series."

Test Squads

India (for fourth Test): Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandaran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Shreyas Iyer

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Stephen O'Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade

Australia's schedule in India

Feb 23-27, First Test, Pune – Australia won by 333 runs.

Mar 4-8, Second Test, Bengaluru – India won by 75 runs.

Mar 16-20, Third Test, Ranchi – match drawn.

Mar 25-29, Fourth Test, Dharamsala