It all started on November 21 in Brisbane late last year and India’s marathon tour of Australia will come to a finish on January 18 in Melbourne with a lot on the line.

After making it 1-1 in Adelaide, India will be eyeing for their first ever bilateral series win in Australia. India has achieved bigger things right from the World Series in ‘85 to the VB series in ‘08 but they haven’t beaten Australia one-on-one in the 50-overs format.

Before these teams collide for the last possible time in this tour, we take a close look at what the combinations could be like.

From the Indian dressing room:

Shikhar Dhawan struck form in Adelaide but threw his wicket away when he was looking good for more. So he will try and spend more time in the middle and contribute to India’s cause in the final. Rohit Sharma returns to his happy hunting ground in Melbourne which should excite all his fans. Rohit scored 138 against Bangladesh at the ‘G’ during the 2015 World Cup quarter-final which is regarded as one of his best knocks considering India were roughly down to 100/3 in a big knockout game.

Virat Kohli will be at the helm of things in Melbourne. He knows how crucial this game is to India in the World Cup year and the skipper will aim to continue with his good run by signing off with another big score.

Ambati Rayudu’s form may be of slight concern but India will be happy with the way MS Dhoni has shaped up in 2019. After going half-century less in 2018, he’s begun with two contrasting fifties this year.

Dinesh Karthik has proved why the management has trusted him at six. Ravindra Jadeja has also proved his credentials with the ball in hand — whether while bowling or fielding.

While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami have bowled well in tandem, their third seamer and the potential fifth bowling option for Virat has leaked runs. Whether Khaleel or Siraj, both have had two not-so-great matches. India can also look at Yuzvendra Chahal as an option in Melbourne.

From the Australian dressing room:

Australia’s bowlers went from hero (Sydney) to zero (Adelaide) as India’s batsmen roared back to form by clinching a series-levelling victory. The team management has made two massive calls ahead of the final. Nathan Lyon, who went wicketless in both the games was axed. Wrist-spinner Adam Zampa has been named as his replacement.

Jason Behrendorff has been ruled out due to a sore back with the big Billy Stanlake replacing him in the eleven.

Australia’s opening woes have not been resolved. Skipper Aaron Finch has looked vulnerable against the full-length delivery throughout this trip. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dismissed him twice in a similar fashion. Alex Carey also has not been able to prove his mettle in the two games which could bother Justin Langer’s men. Australia will be hoping more from their skipper and his deputy.

Usman Khawaja has looked solid but couldn’t do much when Jadeja ran him out but Australia will be in a happy state of mind with him and Shaun Marsh both among the runs. Marsh, in particular, now has four centuries from his last 8 outings for the Men in Yellow.

Peter Handscomb is a solid option at number five. He has also proved his worth as a fielder in the deep. The kind of effort that he puts in makes him a valuable asset to any side.

The Stoin, as he is fondly referred to, returns to his BBL home ground for the final. Australia’s performance depends a lot on how Marcus Stoinis shapes up with both bat and ball. He has been in form and Australia would want him to continue in the same vein.

Glenn Maxwell getting runs under his belt is always a piece of bad news for his opposition. Australia’s most lethal batsman in that line-up will also play at his home-turf so one can expect fireworks.

Jhye Richardson and Peter Siddle will now have the support of Billy Stanlake as the third pacer. The bowling unit doesn’t look very dangerous but we all know what happened in Sydney.

All eyes will be on Adam Zampa who will play a massive role during the middle overs with his wrist spin.

Overall, the contest looks really exciting with a lot at stake. The game will begin at 7.50 AM IST.