INDIA has already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Australia can still level the series in the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad. In front of what is set to be a bumper crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium, the mettle of either side will be tested. We run you through all you need to know before the big match gets underway tomorrow afternoon.

NEED TO KNOW

When: March 9-13, 3pm-10pm (AEDT)
Where: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)
Watch: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Listen: ABC Grandstand, SEN
Follow: CA Live app

SERIES SCHEDULE

1st Test: Nagpur, February 9-13 (India won by an innings and 132 runs)
2nd Test: Delhi, February 17-21 (India won by 6 wickets)
3rd Test: Indore, March 1-5 (Australia won by 9 wickets)
4th Test: Ahmedabad, March 9-13

SESSION TIMES (AEDT)

1st Session: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Lunch: 5:00pm-5:40pm
2nd Session: 5:40pm-7:40pm
Tea: 7:40pm-8:00pm
3rd Session: 8:00pm-10:00pm

PITCH REPORT

Two pitches are being prepared in Ahmedabad, though one remains under covers as the other receives more attention from India’s key stakeholders. The 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium will host a colossal crowd including India’s Prime Minister, whom the stadium is named after, and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on day one.

It could make for the biggest audience many players afield have entertained, and if that doesn’t unsettle a few nerves, perhaps the state of the pitch will. With no match passing the three-day mark so far this series, and the Indore pitch graded as poor, there is plenty of intrigue about its condition in Ahmedabad.

The hosts have jovially hinted at rolling out a more green, seam-friendly deck, though that idea may be quashed with the potential of a series victory on the line. At the fourth Test venue, the last two Tests have not lasted more than three days, neither have any Ranji Trophy matches played there this season. It doesn’t bode well, despite feint hope of change.

TEAM NEWS

Not much has come out surrounding changes to either lineup, though there is confirmation about Australian skipper Pat Cummins staying home while his mother battles illness in palliative care. It means Steve Smith will again take the reins after successfully standing in last time out, with eyes on levelling the series in the country he most enjoys captaining.

There is unlikely to be any change to the victorious Australian 11, despite talk from Indian captain Rohit Sharma of a potential green seamer. Two pitches are said to be under preparation, perhaps as mind games more than anything, but the tourists seem quite set on maintaining their three-pronged spin attack.

That means the promoted Travis Head and Usman Khawaja top the order with Marnus Labuschagne at first drop, supported in the middle order by Smith and Peter Handscomb. Cameron Green is the designated allrounder and Alex Carey takes the gloves at seven, leaving Mitchell Starc to head a long tail of tweakers – Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matt Kuhnemann.

India made waves before the third Test by removing the vice-captaincy from next to KL Rahul‘s name in the squad announcement. The ‘VC’ tag is back, and Rahul could get a look-in once again after his replacement, Shubman Gill, was dismissed in largely lacklustre fashion despite his obvious class.

Otherwise, India looks quite settled in the batting department. Paceman Umesh Yadav was the only other change last time out and he proved a handy addition to the hosts’ bowling attack, taking 3-12 in the first innings.

SQUADS

AUSTRALIA: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson

INDIA: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat

PREDICTION

India will thrive off the energy of a massive crowd and run away with the series victory, setting up a rematch for the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June.