NEW DELHI, Oct 26: India’s new bowling star Amit Mishra is sweating on selection for the third Test against Australia – despite a match-winning seven-wicket haul against the tourists.The 25-year-old was picked for the second Test in Mohali as a last-minute replacement for injured Indian leg-spin veteran Anil Kumble and tied the Australians in knots with his enormous leg-breaks and the odd googly.

The debutant’s seven wickets helped India to a thumping 320-run win, and the Australians are desperate to avoid a repeat in this week’s New Delhi Test.

But they may receive help from the Indian selectors, who face a tricky selection dilemma for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy beginning here on Wednesday, with Kumble raring to play on his favourite surface.

The inspirational Indian skipper became only the second bowler to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings after England’s Jim Laker at the Feroz Shah Kotla here in 1999.

And he has 55 wickets at a rate of just 15.41 in six Tests at the venue.

The 38-year-old’s injured shoulder is improving rapidly and he is keen to lead India again with time running out of his career spanning 18 years and 131 Tests.

But former Australian Test captain Ian Chappell believes Mishra should be given the nod over Kumble.

“Mishra is a talented leg spinner. His control and variety confused the Australians in the Mohali game,” he wrote in his Cricinfo column, adding that going back to Kumble would be a step backwards for India.

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke said whoever was selected would be a challenge as the tourists seek to battle their way back into the four-Test series, in which they trail 1-0.

“They are two very different bowlers but Anil has been fantastic for India for a long time,” he said.—AFP