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Deadlocked teams chase historic milestones

3rd Test between India and Australia from tomorrow

AGENCIES, Melbourne
The Indian cricket team is on the verge of a historic milestone when they take on Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne tomorrow.
India are just one victory away from completing 150 Test wins - a feat achieved only by Australia (384), England (364), West Indies (171) and South Africa (161).
It will also be an important Test encounter for Australia as they have currently won 999 matches across all formats in cricket and if they win this Test, it will be their 1,000th victory in international cricket. However, considering the record of both teams at this venue, Australia seem better placed to ring up win number 1,000. The last time India won a Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was way back in 1981 and have since lost five and drawn twice.
On the other hand, Australia last lost a Test at the MCG in 2010 against England. Since that heavy defeat, the hosts have won five matches and drawn twice.
India are currently tied 1-1 with Australia after their 146-run defeat in the second Test, where Kohli and his men were dismissed for 140 in the second innings.
Halfway into the tour, the Indian
team management continues to be in a dilemma over selection issues despite having 19 players on their roster - the largest in recent times.
According to coach Ravi Shastri, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin - who missed the second Test in Perth due to injuries - are on the mend with the former better placed to be fit
"We will evaluate Ashwin over the next 48 hours, Rohit looks good and has made good improvement but we will see how he pulls up tomorrow," was how Shastri summed it up.
On the other hand, Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is relishing his at times heated battles with animated Indian counterpart Kohli, and
promised" intense, hard" cricket.
Australian coach Justin Langer declared that all-rounder Mitch Marsh has become an "attractive commodity" and is firmly in contention for a return because of an MCG pitch he still has misgivings about.
While the under-siege deck had a good grass covering on Monday and is expected to retain that come Day One of the pivotal third Test against India, it remains doubtful whether it will provide the life curator Michael Page hopes.
Only 24 wickets fell in the corresponding "borefest" against England last year, prompting the International Cricket Council to label the wicket poor and put the venue on notice