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India is likely to unleash a three-pronged pace attack and recall dashing opener Virender Sehwag for the third Test against Australia at the WACA Ground, according to captain Anil Kumble.
Kumble said Sehwag will return to the side at the expense of Yuvraj Singh, allowing Rahul Dravid to bat at his preferred No.3 position.
And, barring a massive change of heart from Kumble, Harbhajan Singh appears certain to face the chop as India looks to exploit a fast and bouncy WACA wicket.
Irfan Pathan appears the most likely to come into the fray to join fellow pacemen Ishant Sharma and RP Singh, with Kumble left to shoulder the spin duties.
"I still have to have a final look at the pitch but in all probability Sehwag will come in and we are considering the option of bringing a third seamer into the team," Kumble said.
Australia have been forced to make two changes to their XI, with Chris Rogers and Shaun Tait called up to replace the injured Matthew Hayden and spinner Brad Hogg.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he would look to 'rattle' the Indians with the pace of Brett Lee, Tait and Mitchell Johnson, but Kumble was confident his experienced batting line-up would be able to handle the speed blitz.
"We have handled the bowling really well and certainly, yes, the pitch may be different here but I think we have the quality batsmen to combat that," he said.
"Yes there may be extra pace and bounce for the bowlers... but I think we have the quality and experience to handle that. It will take some time to get used to and it's probably more of an adjustment you need to make in the mind rather than in the middle."
"It's important we put runs on the board and we are confident we can do that."
After the controversies surrounding the Sydney Test, Kumble was optimistic the Perth encounter would be remembered for the cricket.
"We've discussed that and decided to move on and I'm sure both teams will put up a good game of cricket ... and ensure people remember the cricket," he said.
"That unfortunately didn't happen in Sydney so we have left that behind and it's time to move on."
Kumble said Sehwag will return to the side at the expense of Yuvraj Singh, allowing Rahul Dravid to bat at his preferred No.3 position.
And, barring a massive change of heart from Kumble, Harbhajan Singh appears certain to face the chop as India looks to exploit a fast and bouncy WACA wicket.
Irfan Pathan appears the most likely to come into the fray to join fellow pacemen Ishant Sharma and RP Singh, with Kumble left to shoulder the spin duties.
"I still have to have a final look at the pitch but in all probability Sehwag will come in and we are considering the option of bringing a third seamer into the team," Kumble said.
Australia have been forced to make two changes to their XI, with Chris Rogers and Shaun Tait called up to replace the injured Matthew Hayden and spinner Brad Hogg.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he would look to 'rattle' the Indians with the pace of Brett Lee, Tait and Mitchell Johnson, but Kumble was confident his experienced batting line-up would be able to handle the speed blitz.
"We have handled the bowling really well and certainly, yes, the pitch may be different here but I think we have the quality batsmen to combat that," he said.
"Yes there may be extra pace and bounce for the bowlers... but I think we have the quality and experience to handle that. It will take some time to get used to and it's probably more of an adjustment you need to make in the mind rather than in the middle."
"It's important we put runs on the board and we are confident we can do that."
After the controversies surrounding the Sydney Test, Kumble was optimistic the Perth encounter would be remembered for the cricket.
"We've discussed that and decided to move on and I'm sure both teams will put up a good game of cricket ... and ensure people remember the cricket," he said.
"That unfortunately didn't happen in Sydney so we have left that behind and it's time to move on."
