On day three of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, attrition was the watch-word as sixteen wickets in three sessions as the hosts romped home to a six wicket win after tea. It means that India have now won this series 4-0, a new record for them, and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
A week is a long time in cricket, writes Chetan Narula in his preview of the fourth Test in Delhi. During the last seven days, Shane Watson was out of contention for the third Test at Mohali, along with three others, amidst reports of indiscipline. Then he flew home for the birth of his child, making comments about retiring from international cricket. Now he is back, wanting to play a role in Australia's bid to save face in the final Test at Delhi.
Australia captain Michael Clarke will be given every chance to prove his fitness for the fourth and final Test against India in Delhi, although it is looking increasingly likely that he will miss the match with a back injury.
He struggled through the end of the third Test in Mohali and if he is to miss the game, vice-captain Shane Watson, who missed the third Test, will take over.
India have named their 14-man squad for the final Test against Australia, which begins on Friday 22nd March. Mohali century-maker Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out after sustaining a fracture of his left hand and has been replaced by Suresh Raina.
Australia's eventful tour of India - on and off the field - took another turn for the worse with the news that fast bowler Mitchell Starc is to return home to undergo ankle surgery.
Starc hit a career-best 99 and took two wickets in the third Test in Mohali before Australia succumbed to a six-wicket defeat late on the final day.
India moved into an unassailable 3-0 series lead by beating Australia by six wickets, just managing to reach their target in time, on the final day of the third Test in Mohali.
Australia resisted bravely before being dismissed for 223 in their second innings to set India 133 to win, which they achieved despite a few scares along the way.
Australian vice-captain Shane Watson is set to head back out to India of the fourth Test in Delhi following the birth of his first child last week.
Watson had been given permission to leave the tour, although he would have missed the match in Mohali as one of four players who was banned by team management for failing to complete an assignment.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has offered his views on the Australian team's current predicament in India, after four players including vice-captain Shane Watson were suspended for the third Test after failing to complete a team assignment.
Speaking after scoring a century for Tasmania, Ponting came out in support of both the team management who made the decision, but also backed Watson, calling him a good team player.
The drama surrounding Australia's build-up to the third Test against India in Mohali gave way, come matchday, to disappointment as the opening day was washed out.
However, Australia had named their team, recalling Steven Smith to bat at number five, and this is a role he feels comfortable with, having worked hard on his game since last wearing the Baggy Green.
The opening day's play in the third Test between India and Australia was abandoned due to persistent rain at the Punjab Cricket Association Ground in Mohali.
Play will start 30 minutes earlier than scheduled on the remaining four hours to make up some of the lost time.
Australia captain Michael Clarke is making the best of a bad situation as he prepares what is left of his squad for the third Test against India in Mohali.
After four players were suspended, and with Matthew Wade's fitness still in doubt, Clarke admitted that he doesn't yet have a team, but he hopes Shane Watson will return for the final Test.
Chetan Narula previews the upcoming third Test between India and Australia in Mohali. A week is a long time in cricket. Eight days ago, Australia had suffered an embarrassing defeat in Hyderabad, coming on the heels of a loss at Chennai. They hadn't learnt their lessons, staring at the score line reading 2-0.
The visitors got busy immediately after that decimation. They practiced on a day four pitch, immediately after the Test finished.
Australia coach Mickey Arthur and captain Michael Clarke have received the full support of the Cricket Australia (CA) Board following their decision to suspend four players due to a breach of discipline in India.
Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, James Pattinson and Shane Watson were stood down for Thursday's third Test in Mohali after failing to produce a team assignment.
Australian vice-captain Shane Watson is on his way back to Australia, leaving his country's tour of India to be alongside his pregnant wife.
He was going miss the final match due to the pregnancy but after he was one of four players dropped for the third Test, which starts on Thursday (14th March) due to a breach of discipline, he has made the decision to depart early.
Four Australian players - Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson - have been made unavailable for selection ahead of the third Test against India in Mohali.
The players have effectively been dropped after failing to complete a team assignment following the innings defeat in Hyderabad.
Experienced wicket-keeper Brad Haddin is to fly out to India and join up with the Australia Test squad after Matthew Wade suffered a sprained ankle.
Haddin will arrive in Mohali, ready to play in the third Test in Mohali, which begins on Thursday (14th March) if required.
