Australia captain Ricky Ponting has admitted his team may be forced to turn to uncapped off-spinner Jason Krejza to bolster their slow bowling options ahead of the fourth Test in Nagpur.
The Australians head into the final match of the series 1-0 down and therefore needing to win in order to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia's hopes in the series have so far been undermined by a lack of potency with the ball, especially from their slow bowlers.
The part-time options of Cameron White, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have provided little discomfort for the home batsmen, highlighted by the fact they combined for just one wicket as India posted 7-617 in the first innings of the drawn third Test in New Delhi.
Ponting admitted that if his side give up such an advantage in Nagpur their hopes of victory will be all but dashed, prompting him to suggest Krezja, the only specialist spinner in Australia's squad, could play when the final Test starts on Thursday.
"The challenge that lies ahead is to take 20 wickets in Nagpur," Ponting said.
"We probably need to look at Jason a little bit more closely. He was named as 12th man and he came very close to playing in this Test (in New Delhi)."
"With a bit more work he will certainly come into consideration to play the next Test."
Should Krejza be called up to the squad he will be the third spinner to debut for the Australians in their past five Tests.
Beau Casson played the final Test of the series in the West Indies, although he was not part of the squad in India, while White pulled on the Baggy Green for the first time in the opening Test in Bangalore.
White's call-up only came after a shoulder injury to 36-year-old leg-spinner Bryce McGain - who is also untried at international level - and further illustrates Australia's lack of slow bowling options.
White, the latest in a growing list of candidates to try and fill the gap left by Shane Warne's retirement 18 months ago, has struggled to make an impact against the Indians, claiming just five wickets at an average above 60 in this series.
It is perhaps an unsurprising return given White, who captains Victoria, is reluctant to bowl himself in domestic action.
Whether Krejza will fare any better remains in doubt after the 25-year-old failed to impress in the tour opener against the Indian President Board's XI in Hyderabad.
Krejza did not take a wicket in the match and conceded 199 runs.
Despite that, Ponting remains confident his team has the bowling options to win the match at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur - a new venue to the Australians.
Ponting hinted Peter Siddle, who showed signs of promise as he took four wickets on his debut in the second Test, could enjoy a quick recall after dropping out for Stuart Clark who missed the match in Mohali through injury.
Clark has taken just two wickets in the series to cast doubt over his position while Ponting added that his fellow New South Wales team-mate, Doug Bollinger, is another possible starter.
"The guys on the sidelines, we have to look long and hard at them - Bollinger, Krejza and Siddle - and see if we think they're going to add anything to our bowling group," he said.
"We're playing on a venue we don't know anything about. It's a brand new stadium in Nagpur so we don't know anything about the wicket."