The equation couldn’t be simpler. India are 98/2 after Day 4 of the third Test and when Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara take the crease on the fifth they will have a steep total of 309 to chase down.

More realistically, the Men in Blue will try to negotiate the 90 odd overs and snatch away under the noses of the Aussies the most satisfying draw.

Yet the odds couldn’t be stiffer. India’s number 6 and 7 batters have both suffered injuries. Rishabh Pant suffered a knock on the elbow and Ravindra Jadeja is reportedly out of the rest of the series with a dislocated left thumb. However, the character and might that Jadeja possesses it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come out to bat even with injections.

For Australia, it’s only the eight wickets that count and to scalp them, they have the most capable unit with the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. If the Aussies win the Test, they will take 2-1 lead in the series.