Even a self-confessed cricket nuffie like Steve Smith is struggling to get a read on the perplexing pitch in Ranchi.
"It looks like there's mud sort of rolled together. It looks a bit different," Smith said on the eve of the third Test.
"I've never seen a wicket that's looked quite as dark as that one.
"It's possible (it could play into Australia's hands like the raging turner produced for the first Test in Pune)."
Smith refused to complain about the wicket produced for the third Test, which will make winning the toss crucial for the third time in the four-Test series between Australia and India.
However, it has clearly rattled the visitors. Smith examined every inch of the dry and dusty deck for some 15 minutes prior to Wednesday's training session.
Coach Darren Lehmann and on-duty selector Mark Waugh were also part of the pitch inspection. It's likely Lehmann and Waugh will wait until the last minute before finalising a team.
Injury-prone express paceman Pat Cummins is set to replace Mitchell Starc in the XI and play his first Test since a memorable debut in 2011.
Victoria teammates Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are locked in a tight battle for the final spot.
Maxwell, who played the most recent of his three Tests in 2014, has been training with the squad since a pre-tour training camp in Dubai.
Stoinis, who is yet to make his Test debut, has trained twice in Ranchi since making a whirlwind journey from Alice Springs.
Smith indicated the showdown will be largely decided by what the pitch looks like on Thursday morning.
"Maxwell and Stoinis are obviously different allrounders, so we'll look at whether we need a bit more pace or another spinning option," Smith said.
"A couple of different options and we'll weigh that up today after we look at the wicket and I'll name the team at the toss."
Smith admitted he wasn't quite sure what to expect from the surface.
"It's hard to get a gauge on this one," Australia's skipper said.
"It's a little bit drier than it was yesterday. The groundsman was pretty keen to get those covers back on.
"I dare say there won't be much bounce, but I've been wrong with wickets before so we'll sum that up when we get out there.
"We've played on some difficult wickets in the first two games and we've played some pretty good cricket, so we're confident that we can play (well) with whatever this wicket does."
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