IND vs AUS 3rd Test | Pat Cummins absence adds to Aussie woes; Steve Smith to lead

Fans at the Holkar Stadium in Indore will not be able to witness the blistering pace of Australian skipper Pat Cummins in the upcoming 3rd test. The pacer, who currently holds the 3rd spot in ICC Test Bowler's rankings, had left for Australia owing to some health issues concerning his mother and has now announced he won't be returning for the Indore test.

Steve Smith will be leading the Aussies in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is likely to be replaced by Mitchell Starc. The left-arm quickie is expected to spearhead the Australian pace attack in the absence of his captain. It is noteworthy that paceman Josh Hazlewood and opener David Warner have already returned home due to injuries, adding to problems for Aussies, who are already 2-0 behind in the series.

Unlike the Aussies, the men in blue do not have any injury setbacks to deal with. On the back of dominant performances in the first two tests, featuring spectacular displays of spin bowling by Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin along with a characteristically effortless Rohit Sharma ton, Indians are expected to ride the momentum into the 3rd test in Indore.

Having said that, the renowned Aussie fighting spirit can make things a lot more interesting, notwithstanding the long list of injuries and absence that the team from down under is faced with. As for fans of test cricket in Indore, they can expect Indian spinners to be on a role again on a spin-friendly pitch at Holkar Stadium.