This story is from March 07, 2023
Australia will aim to square the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on another spin minefield when the final Test begins in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
India were chastened by a rare home defeat in the third Test last week and are looking to bounce back to take the series 3-1.
With victory in Ahmedabad, India will secure a berth in the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval in June.
Australia clinched their place in the showpiece with their nine-wicket third Test win, completed before lunch on the third day on a treacherous Indore track.
Pat Cummins has remained at home because of a family illness, leaving Smith with another chance to pit his wits against India in the subcontinent.
India and Australia's Prime Ministers are scheduled to attend on Thursday where another sharply turning wicket is expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Despite the local Gujarat Cricket Association's assurances of a "normal pitch", both sides are again expected to pick three spinners.
India may opt for the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav instead of Axar Patel, who has taken only one wicket in the series.
India may also strengthen their batting by dropping a seam bowler and bringing in the explosive Suryakumar Yadav.
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