Australia v India 3rd Test – 06/01/2021

Australia v India 3rd Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 06/01/2021

India hit back to level the series with a fine success in Melbourne. That win perfectly sets up this crucial clash as the teams head to the SCG.

Discover our free cricket betting tips for this match.

Australia v India 3rd Test – Match Preview

Australia emphatically took the first match of the series before India bounced back in impressive fashion to make it 1-1 heading into the third clash.

India bowled brilliantly in the last match and will have to do the same here against an Australian team that will have been hurt by the nature of that defeat.

Where: Sydney Cricket Ground

When: Wednesday, 6 January 2021

Start time: 05:00 IST (23:30 GMT, previous day)

Pitch conditions: This pitch at the SCG should be better for batting early in this match. It has traditionally been known as a spin-friendly surface and that is likely to be the case again as the contest draws on.

Weather conditions: There is a high chance that rain will delay this match at some stage. Temperatures will be around 20 degrees but dark clouds and rain showers are expected for the first few days.

Australia v India 3rd Test – Latest Odds

Hosts Australia are the favourites to get the win. They can be backed at 1.66 with 10CRIC.

Despite their win at the MCG, India can be backed at 4.10 with the same betting site to follow up. The draw is available at 4.60.

Australia v India 3rd Test – Team News

India remain without regular skipper Virat Kohli after he returned home to be with his pregnant wife. Ajinkya Rahane will continue to lead the side in his absence.

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini and Prithvi Shaw have all travelled with the squad despite being at the centre of an investigation into possible covid-19 protocol breaches.

Sharma will come into the XI in the place of fellow opening batsman Mayank Agarwal.

Umesh Yadav is injured and has been replaced in the XI by fellow fast bowler Navdeep Saini.

The hosts will hope to have David Warner back following injury.

Will Pucowski has come into the squad after Joe Burns was dropped. It means the Aussies will need to decide on who opens between warner, Pucovski and Wade if all are fit and firing.

Fast bowler Sean Abbott is also back after a calf strain.

Australia v India – Squads

Australia v India 3rd Test – Betting Tips and Predictions

This is a mouthwatering clash at a crucial time in the series.

India made changes at the top of their order in the second Test and now Australia are doing the same.

While momentum is with the visitors, Australia’s formidable record at the SCG and their dominant display in the first Test puts them in the driving seat.

However, backing the draw might be a great bet in this outright market.

Rain showers are expected on most of the days. There will be still time for action but it is also worth considering the last time these two met at this venue in 2019 they also played out a hard-fought draw.

The price of 4.98 with 22Bet is far too big given the forecast, India’s ability to play spin and the fact the side batting first could chalk up a big total while not wanting to risk the defeat.

Pujara to Enjoy SCG Return

Cheteshwar Pujara may have struggled in the second Test but he will have happy memories of his last Test match at the SCG.

He made 193 in the drawn clash here in 2019 and can shine again. The 43 in the first innings of the first Test show we should take his failures in the second Test too seriously.

His price of 3.25 with bet365 for him to be India’s first innings top-scorer looks a good price.

Australia to Hit on Right Opening Pair

The openers for both teams have struggled this series. Mayank Agarwal hasn’t got going for India and he has had both Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw alongside him already.

The return from injury of Rohit Sharma is a plus but could mean more disruption.

However, Matthew Wade’s 30 and 40 in the second Test is a plus for the hosts. The return of David Warner would give them the edge in this department.

The alternative is the exciting Will Pucovski. While this adds some doubt, he is very capable of taking his opportunity.

Australia can be backed at 1.85 with 22Bet to have the top opening partnership.

Read our round-up of the best cricket betting tips for this clash.