Team India will need to keep that in mind when they walk out to face Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clarke here on Friday. While Yuvraj refused to confirm, it is unlikely that the team winning the toss here might look to bat first, given the overnight moisture on the field and the early morning conditions.

Whether India bat first or second, the focus will remain on Tendulkar and Ganguly, the latter fit to open once again and the start that they will provide. At number three, a position that Dravid has seemed so comfortable with, the former captain will need to provide the required impetus to the line-up.

India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been lucky with the toss so far, but when he walks out with Ricky Ponting on Friday morning, the trio will be justified in expecting another one in their favour.

In Kochi, while Ganguly stayed out, India lost out after receiving early blows that accounted for Tendulkar along with Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. Tendulkar managed a mere 16 before Symonds took a quick reflex catch at covers to send him back. Later, Dravid struggled to find his feet against the Aussies in rhythm, inching his way to 31 before getting caught in the deep.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s statement, when he says “we are playing well and will be looking to get better” should be ringing in India’s ears. Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly, especially, will need to give it back to him, for theirs and Team India’s sake.