Brisbane Test: Rishabh Pant may play as specialist batsman, Saha as Wicketkeeper

India's lower middle-order could be the weak link with both Hanuma Vihari (hamstring tear) and Ravindra Jadeja (dislocated thumb) being unlikely starters for the fourth and final Test against Aust

All these absentees make the Indian line-up uncertain and shaky. Thankfully for India, the top-order looks established. While there is no doubt that Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma would continue to open the innings after they put on 70 and 71 for the first wicket in the third Test. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will play at No. 3 and No. 4.

But it is from No.5 onward that the problem starts. The regular No.5 Vihari was on Monday pushed to No.6 where he batted with remarkable grit. In his place, Pant was pushed up to his regular place at No.5.

As an option, Pant's performance on Monday could ensure that he retains his spot and bats at the spot as a specialist batsman.

Wriddhiman Saha could come in at No. 6 as the wicketkeeper whereas Ashwin, even if he is half-fit to play, could come in at No. 7. From there, there could be a long tail with Jasprit Bumrah (No. 8), Mohammed Siraj (No.9), Navdeep Saini (No.10), and another bowler T Natarajan, possibly.

However, playing five bowlers and five specialist batsmen, especially one of whom is a wicketkeeper, may not be an ideal formation on a Gabba wicket that is known to be among the fastest in Australia.

In any case, India plays six batsmen overseas. It brings either Mayank Agarwal or Prithvi Shaw into the picture. One of the two could be played as an opener with Rohit Sharma going down at No.5, or vice versa, and Pant shifting to No. 6, Saha to No. 7, Ashwin to No. 8, followed by the three pacer bowlers - Bumrah, Siraj and Saini.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au on Monday that he was going for the second option, which sees Pant batting at No. 6.

"If they were to play another batter, they could play that batter at five and Rishabh stays at six and Saha can come in at seven. That looks pretty good to me," he said.