The Indian cricket team had their final practice session in Melbourne scheduled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, January 3. However, persistent rains kept the Indian players indoors. The players hit the gyms in the absence of any cricket practice in the nets.

The Australian team will join the Indians in leaving for Sydney on Monday, January 4 as they prepare themselves for the New Year's Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from Thursday, January 7.

The BCCI issued a statement revealing the cancellation of the practice session. It read, "India's practice session today at the MCG has been canceled due to rain."

AUS v IND 2020-21: Team India reluctant to travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test, says report

The upcoming third Test has been already in the news for non-cricketing reasons with the COVID-19 cases around Sydney increasing and a few of the Indian players coming close to breaching the protocols. However, the teams are persistent to keep their heads on the game and forget whatever is happening off the field.

While the Indian team is on a roll after their series-leveling victory in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the Australians will be looking to regain their lead with a victory at the SCG. With the venue for the fourth and final Test of the series under the cloud, the SCG might actually host the last two Tests.

As a result, both teams will be looking forward to showing their dominance in the third Test to get the psychological advantage ahead of the fourth game as well.

(With inputs from PTI)