Prior to the match starting, former captain Allan Border revealed he reached out to help Michael Clarke, visiting the Australian dressing-room. Commentating on Indian television, Border revealed he made his way into Australia's inner-sanctum during a rain delay yesterday for a pep talk with Test skipper Clarke. Footage showed Border and Clarke sitting side by side in the sheds, the latter listening intently as the batting great attempted to boost spirits with Australia trailing 2-0 in this four-Test series. Clarke won the toss this morning for the third consecutive time and chose to bat first, with the heavy rain that washed-out play on day one finally clearing. "I had a good chat to him (Clarke) yesterday afternoon," said Border, who captained Australia in 93 Tests in a glittering career spanning 1978-94. (We talked) about where Australian cricket's at and what he can do to improve things. It was a good general chat. He's in a good space. Border backed the controversial inclusion of Steve Smith and believes the tourists will be steeled by the adversity surrounding the suspension of four players for not taking part in a feedback session. Of the starting XI in this Test, nine players are from New South Wales. "The team will be galvanised by recent events as well," Border said. They have made quite a few changes and sometimes new players bring a lot of energy to a team, especially if you have been struggling. It's good to see Steven Smith getting a chance, Brad Haddin is back into the frame and he will add some seniority and knows the conditions well here in India. Mitchell Starc comes back into the side and Nathan Lyon ... there is a good balance about the Australian side. "I don't know about all these New South Welshmen ... we might have to do something about that," he added with a laugh. Clarke, who will bat at No.3 in this Test, said the top-order needed to deliver a big total to support the bowlers after poor showings in the first two Tests. "Every time you play in these conditions it's an examination," he said at the toss morning. I am really hoping that we have learnt from the first two Test matches. It has obviously been a big week for Australian cricket but the boys are excited to be out here now. The break allowed us to freshen up both mentally and physically and then train really hard in the four days leading up to the Test. There is no excuse. Making runs in our first innings is going to be crucial, we haven't scored enough in either of the first two Test matches so hopefully we can get off to a good start. The Mohali wicket usually offers a little for the seamers but Indian skipper MS Dhoni said at the start of play this was different to others he had seen and would spin. "This is not a bad toss to lose, it has been under the covers and that may assist our fast bowlers to use that swing and get early breakthroughs," Dhoni said.