The Indian cricket team is not always predictable. The masters will be touring Australia one more time. Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar have all made big runs in Australia before. Laxman’s 167 in Sydney a few years back was an innings of the highest calibre. Later on, he would cause Steve Waugh’s touring team nightmares, in an astonishing partnership with Rahul Dravid, after Australia enforced the follow on. Haunted by this occurrence, Australian captains have since been extremely hesitant to apply the same tactic.
I saw Rahul Dravid bat in Adelaide, where he also combined effectively with Laxman, in early 2003. India won by 4 wickets, in a rousing victory against the odds. Then there is Tendulkar. The man is clearly the best batsman to come from the subcontinent and is, most likely, the best batsman to play the game since Bradman. He is poised on 99 international hundreds. Fittingly, he may score his 100th century in Australia, where he first rose to prominence as a test player, in the 1991/1992 tour. Even more appropriate it would be, if he were to score his 100th century at the home of Sir Donald, the Adelaide Oval. I’m getting carried away by the romance of the situation, but it would be fitting.
Perhaps the most dangerous combatant is Virender Sehwag. His 195 in the Boxing Day test of 2003 was one of the greatest innings by a visiting player in recent memory. He is in some form, too. Having peeled off 219 against the West Indies in a one day match already this month, he will have Australia’s young bowling attack very concerned. The West Indies were no pushovers either – Kemar Roach and Andre Russell are young quicks but they are very handy – indeed it was a blow from Kemar Roach that arguably led to the demise of Ponting as a force, a few years ago in Perth.
The bowling is less knowable. Praveen Kumar is a man who could do significant damage to an Australian team susceptible to swing bowling. Unfortunately he is injured, which is a big loss for India. Ishant Sharma was a young colt when he last toured and roughed up the Australian batting line up with some quality fast bowling. His statistics don’t yet suggest that he has graduated to the level of world class strike bowler, however it must be said that he plays much of his cricket on pitches designed for run making.
The spinning stocls are very interesting for India. Ashwin performed very strongly against the West Indies, and has kept Harbajhan Singh out of the team as a result. Traditionally, finger spinners are less successful on the harder Australian wickets. Even Murali struggled to dominate in Australia. However, Ashwin is a classy performer, and his opposition are not as strong as when Murali toured.
The series will be compelling viewing. Australia have been on the ropes, while India are now a dominant power in world cricket.
Australian Cricket News 