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Australia have discussed how to combat India's new-look Test attack at the SCG, mulling plans for Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Thangarasu Natarajan.

Australia have done their homework on India's reserve pacemen, seeking to flip the script after ball dominated bat in the opening two Tests.

Umesh Yadav's calf strain will force the tourists to rejig their attack for the third Test, which starts at the SCG on Thursday.

India's pace depth was already being tested by the injury-enforced absence of Ishant Sharma (side strain) and Mohammed Shami (broken arm), who would ordinarily be part of their first-choice XI.

Shardul Thakur, who has played one Test, and would-be debutants Navdeep Saini and Thangarasu Natarajan are vying for the final spot in India's attack.

Australia's batsmen analysed the three inexperienced quicks as part of a routine debrief in Melbourne after the second Test.

Tweakers Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been India's leading wicket-taker in the current series, and Ravindra Jadeja were also on the agenda.

"We had to make sure we had our game plans against the spinners," coach Justin Langer said.

"We were looking at the three different bowlers who might come in, India have three options.

"We are making sure we have our minds around that ... we are interested to see who comes in as their third quick.

"But there was nothing out of the ordinary, just the standard pre-Test get together with the batsmen."

Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj excelled on Test debut at the MCG, underlining the threat posed by uncapped bowlers.

Equally, Australia will almost certainly seek to target India's third paceman and attempt to increase the burden on spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Returning opener David Warner knows Natarajan's upside well, having captained him during last year's Indian Premier League.

"He is a very, very good bowler and I got to see that," Warner said.

"I wish him all the best and if he does get that opportunity, we know he's capable and will know what to do."

Axed opener Joe Burns is the only member of Australia's top six to pass 50 in the current series, underlining how much they have struggled.

"Any time in Test cricket that you are not scoring over 200 as a team, you are looking for ways to improve," Langer said.

"You have got to look at our strategies against the Indian spinners, Ashwin's bowled very well. We've worked hard on that."