As Day 4 unfolds in the closely contested match, all eyes are on KL Rahul, whose performance could be pivotal in shaping the outcome.
India's mind games played a pivotal role in the dismissal of Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne.
India may have not won the third Test, but the team which has turned into an 'injury-ravaged' outfit walked out of the SCG with heads held high. The roar of a jubilant comeback from the Indian side will undoubtedly be echoed in the SCG stands for years to come.
Labuschagne said Australia were expecting a little more help from the fifth day pitch but credited India for hanging on for a remarkable draw.
'I want to play more cricket. Where is the place? Obviously not in the Indian dressing room but from somewhere else. I want to be honest with the game.'
Jadeja's return along with Akash Deep replacing Harshit Rana, is seen as a bold move that could either turn the series around or backfire spectacularly.
Ajinkya Rahane's India have a mountain to climb, even if a draw would be enough to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy two years after their breakthrough 2-1 win in the 2018/19 series in Australia.
Though Australia have dominated the rain-hit Test, time will most likely deny the hosts.
'Hopefully the weather holds off, and then tomorrow it's just about coming in, having a crack, and see where we get to.'
The iconic MCG won't have the bounce of Perth or the seam movement of Gabba but it will still be pace-friendly with 6mm of grass covering
'I do not believe this has happened due to extreme aggression.'
'I do not think we have heard the last of that yet.'
Shubman Gill says the need to put up a big first innings total has been the talking point among his team's batters
Konstas heads home but not out of Test team's plans
'I was rooting for you to break my record.'
The problems in the hotel didn't for once affect their focus on the Test match ahead.
Mohammed Siraj's hot temper has become a topic of discussion but Australian quick Josh Hazlewood says the Indian pacer is a 'good character' who fires up the crowd.
On Tuesday, Hazlewood bowled just one over before walking out of the field before undergoing scans later to ascertain the severity of the injury.
An all-format bowler, Bumrah took five for 30 in a memorable first-innings display and three for 42 in the second innings to guide India to a 295-run win in the Perth Test recently.
In response, the visitors were 51/4 on a rain-hit third day with questions being raised about batters' technique and the quality of bowling, save for Bumrah.
Mohammed Shami has made a stunning return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, excelling for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy victory against Madhya Pradesh. Shami's impressive performance included seven wickets across two innings and a quickfire 37 with the bat, helping Bengal secure a narrow 11-run win.
'It's no secret that during the Ashes we relied too heavily on Steve so the rest of our top seven are really keen to score a lot of runs'
Ravi Shastri, who knows a thing or two about winning Test rubbers in Australia, on Thursday asked India skipper Rohit Sharma
Travis Head played down concerns over his fitness after appearing to struggle with a potential groin issue
Katich noted that since Bumrah rarely bowls loose deliveries, the Australians must be strategically good in their approach.
Australia's winning streak in day-night Tests was ended in January by the West Indies, who won a cliffhanger by eight runs at the Gabba.
Sunil Gavaskar is in awe of Jasprit Bumrah's leadership qualities and reckons the peerless fast bowler will succeed Rohit Sharma as the next captain of the Indian team
Caught by Wicket-keeper Alex Carey after edging a Pat Cummins delivery, Rohit's shot selection and technique highlighted the technical difficulties Pujara believes stem from his batting position shift.
Gavaskar emphasised that India shouldn't focus too far ahead on the target and should plan the chase according to the hours. He added that skipper Rohit Sharma's role in providing a solid start will be key.
Akash Deep reveals how Virat Kohli offered him one of his bats -- a bat that scripted a rare happy memory during India's otherwise devastating tour of Australia.
'It was an emotional moment for me today, I went to the graveyard. I entered my home, my mother started crying as soon as she saw me. I ate home-cooked food after a long time and it was really good to be back home.'
The void left by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement in Indian cricket was quickly filled by Rishabh Pant, said batting great Rahul Dravid.
Jasprit Bumrah has reached an impressive milestone in the ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings, sitting at 904 rating points
All-rounder Washington Sundar was on Sunday added to the India squad for the remaining two Tests against New Zealand.
Sunil Gavaskar has advised India's flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to "respect" the conditions before launching into his attacking strokes
England captain Joe Root defended his decision to bat first in the opening Ashes Test against Australia and stood by the selections in their bowling unit despite going down to a heavy nine-wicket defeat at the Gabba on Saturday.
'I think the way he goes about his aggressive nature and his work ethic would make him very enjoyable to play with.'
What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball and pitches that are likely to produce a result.
Gill exhibited some solid defence and handled his bat with comfort as he faced pace and spin.
The former South African quick explained the pre-set plan against Head, though it eventually fell flat on its back.
