The way the series is structured, we haven’t given ourselves a fair chance.
Traditionally, it has been our batsmen who have taken time to adjust and more often than not we have lost the series on account of their sheepish batting. However this time, my hope rests on our batting. Our middle – order is a phalanx of experienced players who have a point to prove. The likes of Yuvraj snapping at their heels will provide them sufficient motivation to be at their best from day one.
However our bowling is a different story. Our main man is coming back from injury without any match practice. The rest of the supporting casts are raw and most probably naive. They could be easily seduced by the relatively fast Australian pitches and spray the ball around.
Our only functioning weapon is Kumble. His elevation as a Captain and his grit should see him perform well. Bhajji unfortunately has lost the ability to bamboozle the batsmen and take wickets in a heap. His occasional ‘wickets’ is in no way helping India’s cause.
Adding to my self-doubts has been our past performances in Australia.
Now that you know why I am pessimistic, what is your take; does India have a fair chance?
India will have just the one full day to acclimatise before beginning their lone
warm-up clash from Thursday - a three-day affair against Victoria at the
Junction Oval - ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Traditionally, it has been our batsmen who have taken time to adjust and more often than not we have lost the series on account of their sheepish batting. However this time, my hope rests on our batting. Our middle – order is a phalanx of experienced players who have a point to prove. The likes of Yuvraj snapping at their heels will provide them sufficient motivation to be at their best from day one.
However our bowling is a different story. Our main man is coming back from injury without any match practice. The rest of the supporting casts are raw and most probably naive. They could be easily seduced by the relatively fast Australian pitches and spray the ball around.
Our only functioning weapon is Kumble. His elevation as a Captain and his grit should see him perform well. Bhajji unfortunately has lost the ability to bamboozle the batsmen and take wickets in a heap. His occasional ‘wickets’ is in no way helping India’s cause.
Adding to my self-doubts has been our past performances in Australia.
India have never clinched a Test series in Australia since their maiden visit
there in 1947-48. They have won just four of their 32 Tests Down Under.
Now that you know why I am pessimistic, what is your take; does India have a fair chance?
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