The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi is set to host its first ever Test match, third of the four-match Test series between India and Australia, starting Thursday.

Virat Kohli-led Indians won the second match by 75 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore to level series by 1-1. Therefore, the Ranchi Test would be a crucial Test of the thrilling series.

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Ahead of Ranchi’s first ever Test match, SB Singh, the chief curator of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) assured it would be a complete five-day contest, unlike previous two Tests that resulted in three and four days respectively.

The nature of the Ranchi turf assists spinners the most and offers them tremendous grip and turn with the ball. Indian tweaker Ravindra Jadeja, while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has taken advantage of the conditions with his left-arm spin.

In the 2014 edition of the IPL, Jadeja claimed eight wickets in four matches, highest numbers at the venue. Watching this, Jadeja will look to shine for the National side as well and come out in bright colours at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.

Captain Kohli, who hasn’t posted a mark with his willow yet, has led the blue battalion well, especially the bowling unit.

The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja has been undefeatable so far as they claimed 15 and 12 respectively in past two Test matches.

Delhi-born off-spinner Jayant Yadav, who claimed two big wickets in the first Test at Pune, may make his cut in the playing eleven at Ranchi to support the formidable pair of Ashwin-Jadeja.

For Australia, the pair of Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon has impacted the same as Ashwin-Jadeja, in fact, more intensively at times. O’Keefe and Lyon took 15 and 13 wickets respectively in past two matches that were closely contested.

In the batting department, Australia’s top-order consisting Matt Renshaw, David Warner and captain Steve Smith have been stronger so far. The three batsmen scored 164, 98 and 172 runs in previous two Tests.

For India, opener KL Rahul has been the lone warrior with the willow as he scored 215 runs. However, the 92-run knock by Cheteshwar Pujara in the second innings of the Bangalore Test promised a return of good form.

Amidst all preparations, Australia recently suffered a jolt as two of their star campaigners Mitchell March and Mitchell Starc suffered injuries and were ruled out of the series.

Spearhead Pat Cummins will fill Starc’s shoes, while top-order batsman Usman Khawaja, replacing Marsh, is expected to feature in the eleven for the Ranchi Test.

India Probable XI: Virat Kohli (C), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ishant Sharma, Murali Vijay, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav

Australia Probable XI: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith (C), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood