Australia v India: Robert Craddock’s take on Boxing Day Test after day three

Mitch Starc is sore. Mitch Marsh is struggling. And Australia’s hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy are fading. ROBERT CRADDOCK examines the state of play in Melbourne.

Who’s going to crack first?

This Test is becoming a brutal war of attrition where exhausted minds and bodies are being pushed to breaking point.

If Australia is to win it will have to push through the pain barrier and there will still be major selection issues ahead for Sydney where Australia will seriously consider promoting West Australian Jhye Richardson to freshen up the attack.

And what about India? Will Sydney be skipper Rohit Sharma’s last Test? Will Virat Kohli play beyond this tour?

Can Kohli channel his ever present anger into one last big innings in this match?

Jhye Richardson could come into the frame to feature in Sydney.

Mitchell Starc grabs at his side on day three. Picture: Michael Klein

Suddenly the Melbourne and Sydney Tests seem to be almost joined together because one could shape the other.

Mitchell Starc is sore. Nathan Lyon is struggling to cope with India’s conservative and clever game plan.

Mitchell Marsh is struggling to penetrate with bat and ball.

This is what five Test series should be. Epic tests of attrition as well as skill.

The ability to keep pushing – as Starc did, albeit unsuccessfully, on day three – when the back hurts and the bones are starting to creak.

India are 116 behind with one wicket left but Australia would want to set them 400-plus on the flattest MCG deck of recent seasons.

Or will Pat Cummins be prepared to give a bit to get a bit? Will he set India a 350-ish total and bait the hook in the hope they will attack and falter?

Even though the series scoreline is 1-1 India are effectively half a Test ahead because they hold the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and would be jubilant to take it home with a drawn series.

Australia must be bold. Defeat may have to be risked in the pursuit of victory.

This Test match has the potential to be a classic – or it may just fizz out.

What is clear is that India respects Australia but they do not fear them. It’s why just when you think India are down and out of the equation they grind their way back.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, youngsters who grew up in the IPL era sitting on buses with some of the world’s biggest stars, simply don’t care about big reputations because they often get to chat to them at the breakfast table.

The duo played beautifully for their century stand.

Lyon has struggled this series because of a clever Indian plan to pick him off and not to let him settle. They use the chisel rather than the chainsaw and it is working.

Talk about smart play and maturity. When Australia came out after tea and bowled wide of the stumps, the duo said: “Fair enough … bowl as wide as you like … we are not chasing.’’

Earlier they were severe on Marsh, very much playing each ball on its merit.

There were parts of the Indian innings which were calm. Other parts were crazy. Anything could happen now.

A fascinating finale awaits us. Bring it on.