The much eagerly awaited India-Australia series is round the corner. Inspite of the absence of the news makers of the previous battle downunder, Harbhajan for India and Andrew Symonds for the Aussies respectively, this forthcoming series is carrying no less hype in anyway. As usual, the battle swords have been drawn even before the first ball is bowled. On one hand, we have India who was a silent spectator in letting the no. 1 slot slip into England’s hands, surrendering the top spot meekly in a spineless display recently in England and on the other, the erstwhile giants of Test cricket Australia who too not only lost their top spot to India recently, but also had to face the humiliation of a surprise loss to New Zealand in a cowardly batting display to enable the Kiwis to come from behind and draw their recently concluded series.

Though India subsequently managed to beat the low placed West Indies in India, the real test will start now. Will they able to put behind the England debacle and show the world why they are the best? With this tour being most probably the last one downunder for their big guns, Tendulkar, Dravid and Very Very Special Laxman, India probably have a plan up their sleeve. True Indian fans will wait and watch with hope in their eyes and belief in their hearts!

The Aussies have never faced such a situation before where they have no confidence to dominate, their much dependable Ponting and Hussey failing to perform in the recent past and facing the axe and testing unknown and unproven names in a do or die series due to injury woes to many a senior cricketers in the team. If India were compounded with injury concerns post IPL during the England series, the Aussies are in the same boat now. This is a rare situation where the Indians are better off than their opponents when it comes to fitness, injuries, niggles etc., Only Ishant’s fitness is shrouded in mystery and let us hope there is no need of a replacement midway.

The way the Australian Board and their media have been approaching this series has confirmed their fears of a first ever series loss to India in Australia, thanks also mainly to the current form of their team as well as their recent dismal shows and the prevailing fitness issues. Whilst Tim Paine in agonising pain was ruled out, the absence of Shane Watson due to a hamstring are bound to harm a string of Aussies’ past good performances. It is to be seen whether Hilfenhaus, Siddle or whichever bowler comes in for Cummins and Mitchell Johnson in the eleven will be able to stand up to the expectations. With Shaun Marsh back in the team with a lingering back problem will he be able to marshal the Aussie batting resources which includes struggling heroes Ponting and Hussey.

The clear indications of Aussies’ fears stem from the hurriedly called batting boot camp, morale boosting statements given by the likes of Warne, McGrath and Lawson in addition to the media games already been played by their media. To sum it up, they have summoned Greg Chappell to lecture their team ways and means of tackling our Sachin Tendulkar and the Indian team in general. Having failed miserably as India’s coach and Australia’s mentor during their 2008 trip to India, Chappell is bound to fail this time too. A man who packs and carries failure in his travel bag, Chappell has proved time and again his presence always helps the opposition more than his own team. Therefore, the Indians will welcome him with an open heart. All said and done, these are Aussies’ problems and not of India’s conern.

Let’s forget about the Aussies’ weakness and look at Team India’s strengths. Fresh from his ODI 200 and looking into his past cameos in Australia, we know what Sehwag is capable of. Of late, India’s confidence level whilst abroad has always been very high, the recent England tour being an exception and of their own making. After a long time, and may be for the first time, the youngsters have grabbed their opportunities with open arms and fired in unison. Recent performances of Ashwin, Ojha, Umesh Yadav and batsmen like Kohli and Rohit Sharma will vouch for this. With Zak back, let us hope he plays a full series in Australia for the first time and it is a good sign he has come forward and taken up the onus of making a difference for the team. While Sachin is sure to get his 100th hundred and go on and on during this tour, the ever reliable wall, Dravid and VVS are proven kings in the Aussie backyard.

The wounds of the recent England debacle must still be hurting the Indians badly. If India wants to beat the Aussies, this will be the first time and the best time. Beating the Aussies in the lion’s den will require tackling their latest spinning sensation Lyon, who should pose no problems. The Aussies have to cope up with youngsters like Mitchell Starc while in stark contrast, India can boast of a confident young bench strength. Come boxing day, the battle for supremacy will start and along with it, an opportunity for Team India to take the English monkey off their backs (no pun intended).

To atone for their harakiri in England, India has to play with a tone different, a positive one!

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Venkat Balantrapu is currently a NRI and is in seniorofficial in Mauritius. He has played cricket passionately for over two decades at various levels in as well as outside India and continues to write on the sport with the same passion.

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Bobs

so that's the case? quite a reevltaion that is.

KAPIL

nice... :)

Dinesh

first of all welcome back mr. venkat, your articles are equally waited as we waited for indo - ausie series. good to have the tone which speaks tones needed by indian.