Waugh wants same XI for fourth Test

Former Test captain Steve Waugh has urged Australia against making any changes to their side for the series-deciding fourth Test against India in Dharamsala.

Speculation of a pace-friendly surface at the Himalayan venue has given rise to calls for the Aussies to include an extra fast-bowling option, with former Test quick Mitchell Johnson suggesting seamer Jackson Bird should come into the side in place of spinner Stephen O'Keefe.

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But Waugh has called on selectors to back the XI that held on for a fighting draw in the third Test in Ranchi, saying the potency of opening bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins should provide plenty of firepower to skipper Steve Smith.

And he's also backed out-of-form opener David Warner to break his current run drought.

"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.

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

"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."

Waugh also agreed with Hazlewood that the pressure was firmly on the home side heading into the match.

The tourists are well aware of the history that awaits them - they could become just the second Australian team since 1969 to win a series in India - should they be victorious in Dharamsala.

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But Hazlewood says the fact the Aussies are the current holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, meaning a drawn match would see them retain the trophy, means the pressure is on India to force a result to break the current series deadlock.

Waugh added that the pre-series expectation of a comfortable Indian win would be weighing on the home side. 

"As a captain ... I'd say to basically enjoy the experience," Waugh said when asked what he'd tell his players if he was still Australia's skipper.

"I think a lot of the pressure is on the Indian side. They've been expected to win this series and they now come into this Test match with the possibility of losing it.

"So for Australia it's about enjoying it, working together and not looking too far ahead."

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, Mohammed Shami.

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