It’s all in the mind. Rahul Dravid isn’t tuned for the opening slot, period. Today he walked into his natural habitat, and suddenly his timing matched his precise foot movement to the pitch of the ball. And runs blossomed.

That was a positive. On the umpiring side, Asad Rauf didn’t budge to most appeals from a tactical united Aussie onslaught, till he was clear on ‘that’ lbw decision in favour of Brett Lee. It, unfortunately, proved a bit high to be called right. Indian sufferings in Sydney are bearing down on the umpires, yet this Sachin Tendulkar decision was a close one.

The Indian batters made a calculated point to play positive cricket, attacking and playing their shots, though they lost the last three wickets only trying to dominate. India ended Day One at 297/6 in 84 overs, still a couple of steps behind where they ought to have been. It’s still good to have a shade under 300 on a single day on a Perth wicket where they decided to bat first. Again, it’s all in the mind.

There was confusion over which of the two was more hyped by the Australians —- Shaun Tait, or this WACA pitch. General consensus would be to apportion it equally, though. Tait started a just over 150 kmph and ended the same way, and his sling shots hurt none of the Indian players on a wicket that had good bounce that merely helped the ball to be hit back neatly on the rise, and on certain occasions well above the fielders.

... contd.