India should play five bowlers on a lively track

Australia head into Sydney, having already sealed the series but I still think it’s a very important Test match for many reasons. Obviously, the Aussies would want to finish off strongly and India would also want to finish off the season on a high note.

They’ve shown so much potential but they just haven’t quite nailed the big moments. Under new captain Virat Kohli I would expect them to be very competitive.

I was surprised, but not shocked, by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision. He has looked jaded recently and seemed like man who needed a bit of a break. I think it’s just been a wear-down process, particularly with the side not playing well away from home. It will be good for India in the Test arena to have Kohli. He’s a pretty feisty customer and I think he will bring positive energy to his captaincy. He loves a fight and this is probably just the injection that India need right now.

For the Australians, there’s no doubt that being back at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will affect them. They will relive some of those terrible memories but there’s a strong sense that they will want to honour Phil Hughes’ memory with a strong performance rather than wallow in the situation. They will still be very sick about what happened, but I think they will use the occasion in a very positive way.

The SCG is not the spinning surface it was back in the good old days. There’s a lot more grass covering, which helps the fast bowlers a little more. Having said that, the soil composition will still bring the spinner into the game. Going into the fourth and fifth days, the pitch will play a few tricks and the footmarks will become more prevalent. It’s a pitch that’s good for batting, but it does offer something for the bowlers throughout the course of the match.

India should throw caution to the winds and not worry about playing the extra batsman. I think they should go in with three quickies and two spinners and go for broke against the Aussies on this pitch.

With Mitchell Johnson out, I’m hoping Australia will go with Mitchell Starc — a left-hander for a left-hander — as he can bowl quite quick at times. Peter Siddle is a steady performer but doesn’t have that pace that might worry the Indians.

I don’t think they will go with two spinners and will stay with the same formula that has served them well till now. There is enough in the surface to encourage both sides and I think there will be a result. It’s just that I can’t see India bowling the Aussies out twice for a win.

— Gameplan