#INDvAUS: Here's for olive branch and willow fight

It is customary for the match referee and the umpires to meet the two captains and apprise them of what is expected from the two sides before a game.

Wednesday was no different. But in the aftermath of what happened in the previous Test in Bengaluru with Virat Kohli accusing his opposite number Steve Smith of everything — read almost cheating — and that the visitors expecting an apology from him, the meeting between the referee and the captains assumes greater significance.

Match referee Richie Richardson from the West Indies, who has replaced England's Chris Broad for the second half of the series, had a chat with Kohli and Smith separately on Wednesday and told them what they expected of them and their teams. They wanted to see cricket emerge the winner and that other things will be handled by the officials.

That is not all. On the morning of the third Test here on Thursday, the two captains will formally come face to face, shake hands and attempt to bury the bitter incidents of the recent past and move on.

Move on. That is what everyone wants. Move on from the off-the-field happenings and concentrate on what they are really playing for – the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – that is one-all with two to go. India's head coach said on Wednesday that the focus will be back on cricket. Kohli and Smith, on the match eve, said it was important to march forward.

But, to expect an incident-free match when India and Australia are involved is akin to asking for the moon. The Bengaluru Test's fourth day's play — which was also the final day— was not the first time in which the two teams were involved in a war of words. Nor will it be the last.

A bit of 'banter' is what one looks forward to in an India vs Australia contest. The players know it. And, they do it as long as it is within the boundaries.

The war of words has really overshadowed the seven days of keen contest between bat and ball in the series so far. So much so that not everyone here in the build up to the first ever Test in Ranchi was talking about proper cricket but more about the allegations and counter-allegations.

In the pre-match press conference addressed by Kohli on Wednesday, five of the 10 questions pertained to the controversy. It came to a point when Kohli had to thank a scribe for actually asking a cricketing question.

With India having bounced back brilliantly, the eight-day break between Tests was sweeter for Kohli and Co. Australia, meanwhile, were contemplating on how the pitch would behave, taking a look at the 22-yard strip daily ever since arriving here and forming their own opinions.

On the tricky pitches in Pune and Bengaluru, India opener KL Rahul stood out with three half-centuries in four innings. Since he is the man among runs and who has found out a way to counter the pitch conditions, India will again rely on him.

Whether Rahul is rejoined by Murali Vijay at the top has to be seen, though the Tamil Nadu right-hander had a stint at the nets on the match eve and is available for selection.

India may also resort to three-spin attack as prediction is that the pitch has low bounce. On Tuesday, the curator SB Singh was seen bouncing a ball on the pitch and it did not raise much. That could mean India playing with five bowlers with all their spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav – being more than capable batsmen who have made useful contributions with the bat earlier this home season.

On the other hand, Australia are forced to make two changes due to injuries to their key pacer Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. Off-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is likely to get a recall into the Test 11 as he could help the two regular spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe with his slower stuff besides being able to hit the ball bit.

Whether Starc's replacement Pat Cummins will straightaway get a game or not, or if Jackson Bird is the automatic choice is a call Steve Smith will take on Thursday.

But one thing is for sure, Smith and Co. will not have it easy against the roaring Indians who are determined to regain the trophy named after two legends of the game from either country. And, both Gavaskar and Border will expect that the skills of the game are focussed on rather than everything else around it.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA

JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
3td Test, March 16-20, 2017
LIVE ON STAR SPORTS 1 & 3

TEAM NEWS

INDIA: It is likely that opener Murali Vijay will return to the 11 after missing the Bengaluru Test due to left shoulder injury. With the pitch likely to have low bounce and breaking up as the match wears on, India may consider playing a third spinner in Jayant Yadav.

AUSTRALIA: The visitors will be made to make two forced changes due to injuries to Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh. Marcus Stoinis and Pat Cummins are their replacements. Steve Smith will decide on 11 before toss on Thursday.

KEY CONTEST

Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith: The Indian left-arm spinner has already dismissed the Australian captain twice in four innings this series. Smith being Australia's best batsman, will look to get on top while Jadeja, on a turning track, can be deadly.

Head to head: P: 92, India: 25, Australia: 41; Draw: 25, Tie: 1

Pitch Report: Australia captain says the pitch will "play reasonably well" on first day before breaking as the game progresses. Bounce will be low.

Weather report: Days are hot with the temperature in the early 30s deg Celsius. Forecast for Saturday, Day 3 of the Test, is partly sunny with a shower in spots in the afternoon.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Nothing less than a keenly-contested game like what was seen in Pune and Bengaluru. The players may want to focus on cricketing skills but a few words exchanged within the limits cannot be avoided.
Punter Point: India: 4/7; Australia: 16/5; Draw: 4/1
Watchability Quotient: 9

n-zone

799
The number of Test matches Australia have played till date. The Ranchi Test will be their 800th Test, only the second nation to reach this milestone. England have played 983 Tests so far.