India
walked away with an impressive 2-0 win over the Windies in the recently
concluded Test series. It really could, and should have been 3-0, considering
the stupendous bowling performance by the spin duo (Ashwin and Ojha) in the 2nd
innings of the 3rd test. India had a very gettable target of 243 runs in 64
overs. Looking at India’s batting line-up and the fact that the game was in its
own backyard, the odds were heavily stacked against the Windies. However, the
steadily improving performance of the Windies led to Bravo’s men putting on
their best show in the final innings of the final test.
Let’s
be crystal clear about the fact that the upcoming series in Australia is going
to be a whole different ball game. It does not matter that the Aussies are
missing Warne and McGrath in their line-up. The Australians are thoroughbred
sportsmen vigorously and professionally trained to give the opposition a run
for its money. No team, world-beater or not, can let its guard down against the
Aussies - the supreme South Africans would agree, going by the recently
concluded series, in South Africa !
The
next matter of concern for the 2nd ranked Team India is that it has just
concluded a 'home-series' against a young and inexperienced team ranked 7th,
whereas the 4th ranked Aussies leveled an 'away-series' against the better
ranked (3rd) South Africans. India might be on a high after dominating most of
the 3-match test series but the Aussies will be feeling much more confident
after having leveled the series against South Africa, in South Africa. The
Aussies will be looking to capitalize on the home advantage, come December, and
will literally be itching to get on the field against the Indians.
Having
said that, Team India has always considered Australia as the toughest
opponents, who bring out the best in them (India). Even statistics show
multiple players averaging better ‘against Australia’ than ‘overall.’ I thought
the Sydney and Perth Tests in 2008 inculcated an immense sense of self-belief
and maturity in the team, with Kumble’s dignified manner of handling
proceedings and with the players letting their skill do the talking. Although
India lost the series, a billion people remember it for how the team defied all
odds and won the Perth test, followed by Harbhajan Singh running onto the
ground with the tri-colour in hand.
Speaking
of which, not picking Harbhajan Singh for the Australia series is a bit of a
gamble. It is evident that the man is going through a form slump and has not
performed in the domestic circuit either, however, he is more than a cricketer.
He is a character that gets under the skin of the Australians and impacts their
mental make-up and on-field performance. One cannot deny that he has also
mastered bowling in the faster Australian pitches. He could have really been a
valuable mentor to both Ashwin and Ojha, who are 3 and 14 tests old
respectively. It will be an uphill task for the young spin duo, but their
results show that they are more than up for the challenge.
Varun
Aaron is another man to watch, considering his focus on bowling quick and his
impressive show in the recent tests, given the flat pitches that he bowled on.
Virat
Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be looking to fire on all cylinders. Kohli has had
a good start with two fifties under his belt in the final test and Sharma will
want to prove Ian Chappell right, who famously quoted “This guy is ready for
Test cricket” on air in 2008.
Sachin’s
elusive 100th ton is bound to happen against the opposition that brings out the
best in him. Achieving the milestone against the Australians in Australia will
only make it all the more special for SRT and his billion-plus followers –
enough said !
Tendulkar
and Dhoni are wisely being rested for the ODI series against the Windies. This
is a great opportunity for the two to put their mature heads together and
formulate strategies to tackle the Aussies. It will not be a one-sided affair
like the series against the Windies. Both teams will do whatever it takes to
emerge victors – India, to justify its no. 2 position in tests and Australia,
to justify that it is still a dominant force.
Sparks
are bound to fly during this scintillating series that begins on Boxing Day.
Let’s hope that the games are played in the right spirit and the series results
in cricket triumphing over everything else.
