Once regarded as the fastest wicket in India, the PCA Stadium in Mohali was regarded as the one venue in India where the seamers would get some joy and an even contest between bat and ball could be expected. Those days appear long gone as a dream third day for batting witnessed in excess of 400 runs being scored for the loss of just 3 wickets. The morning session belonged to Australia, as the visitors notched up a morale boosting 408 runs in their first innings with Mitchell Starc (99) and Steve Smith (92) producing some excellent counter attacking cricket to give Australia a lifeline in the series. That ray of hope was extinguished in some style by debutant Shikhar Dhawan, as he scored an incredible unbeaten 185 from just 168 balls with the help of 33 boundaries and 2 sixes to power India to a position of strength at 283-0. Dhawan's partner in crime Murali Vijay scored a very respectable 83 but was overshadowed by his new teammate, who rewrote the record books with some genuine class, albeit on a docile pitch.

Australia made a positive start on the third morning of the Mohali Test with the overnight batsmen Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc continuing from where they left off last evening, taking Australia comfortably past 300. The duo were looking increasingly comfortable out in the middle, and India had their work cut out for them to break this crucial 8th wicket stand which was threatening to make it hard for them to force a result from this game.

Half centuries from Ed Cowan (86), David Warner (71) and Steve Smith (58*) could not prevent India from taking the honours on the second day of the Mohali Test. India battled back after a 139-run stand for the opening wicket between Cowan and Warner to restrict Australia to 273-7 at the close of play. Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma were the pick of the bowlers for India taking 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

The rain that had prevented any play whatsoever on the opening day of the third test between India and Australia at Mohali was long gone as beautiful sunshine greeted the players as they made their way over to the PCA Stadium for an early start on Friday morning.

The flip of the coin went Australia's way for the third straight game and Skipper Michael Clarke once again opted to make fresh use of what looked like the flattest deck we've had all series. There were changes along expected lines for both sides as Australia brought in Brad Haddin, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc, while India handed a test debut to Shikhar Dhawan, and quite surprisingly dropped Harbhajan Singh at his home ground in favour of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. Bhajji's selection ahead of Ojha in the opening test of the series was surprising, but now that the Turbanator was finally finding some form, his axing made little sense.

A career-best spell from Shane Shillingford bowled West Indies to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Shillingford captured 6-49 from 16 overs, ending the match with 9-107, as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 107 in their second innings about 20 minutes before lunch on the third day at the Kensington Oval. This left West Indies chase a modest 12 for their fifth straight Test victory for the first time in 25 years, which they duly completed about 10 minutes after a re-scheduled lunch interval.

Moments after bowling the West Indies to a huge victory over Zimbabwe, Shane Shillingford called it his “best performance ever” as he celebrated the nine-wicket win. He was well backed by Shannon Gabriel, who bowled with sustained pace and hostility to take 3-10 in his second Test match.

The third test between India and a suspension ravaged Australian side was scheduled to get underway at Mohali this morning. However, a persistent drizzle prevented any action whatsoever. The good news for cricket fans is that Mohali has excellent drainage, and the weather by and large expected to be clear over the coming days, there is no reason why we would not be able to get a full test match in.

While the teams have not yet been announced due to the delay in the toss, Shikhar Dhawan is widely tipped to make his Test debut for India, while Australia are likely to include Brad Haddin for the injured Matthew Wade. Glenn Maxwell is also believed to have picked up an injury, and with the Australian squad already without 4 suspended players, Steve Smith looks certain to get a chance to impress, while Australia may just be forced to play two specialist spinners on the most seamer friendly track one will find in India.