So, Virender Sehwag, walking into the nets first this morning for a long stint—he was widely expected to be the messiah who would show the way in the second Test— ultimately turned out to be a dummy played by skipper Anil Kumble. His name, later, didn’t even figure in India’s list of 13 for the match.

Then, there was Rahul Dravid batting in the other nets at the same time, compact as ever and neat in defence. He was trying to look for quick singles whenever he imagined there was a run. And the other opener, Wasim Jaffer, who stood at the bowler’s side, was responding quickly to swap ends.

In the event, the two are expected to walk out together once again tomorrow and try to ease the pressure the Australian bowlers had created in Melbourne. This also means that Yuvraj Singh gets another chance to convert a Test appearance in Australia into a memorable experience.

Obviously, the Indian team is trying to counter the mind games of the Australians, passing the message that they aren’t fiddling around with batting slots just because of one bad match. And also, Kumble wants to tell the Australian side that the same XI can avenge the humiliation of the first Test; that he has ample confidence in the team; and that he wasn’t wrong about the batting combination in the first place.

Apparently, Team India believe that retaining the same batting line-up is the best advertisement for a positive approach as they bid to stop the Australian juggernaut on the verge of a record-equalling 16th straight Test win.

On the ground, the Barford & Perkins machine, in operation since 1924, has rolled some fantastic pitches, especially for the Indians, who have had a good run here. Ask Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored a double hundred here. Ask VVS Laxman, whose 167 as opener in early 2000 gave him another lease of life in international cricket before he followed it up with 178 in 2004. Or Dravid, who got an unbeaten 91 at No. 3 three years ago. Or even the entire line-up that raked in 705 the last time they played here.

Traditionally, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) wicket is flat with a bit of turn towards Day Three.

This time, it’s a virgin track, relaid with some amount of grass that has been watered till late to maintain its freshness. The result could be good carry for the bowlers initially, before tradition takes over beyond 180 overs.

For India, the feeling of having returned to a happy hunting ground is a nice environment to build their confidence. Besides, the team’s most confident batsman, Sourav Ganguly, who had been a bit under the weather, has recovered completely.

But India’s injury worries are now centred around another key player—Zaheer Khan—and his suspect ankle, which underwent an MRI scan here. On standby are Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan in the final 13 that was announced today. Apparently, a decision on Zaheer will be taken at virtually the last minute, depending on the doctor’s assessment and the bowler’s rhythm.

Australia, meanwhile, have no such concerns—the Melbourne XI stays—and hope to pile on the pressure once again.

From India’s point of view, intent has to be matched with action, because if they slip again here, there will be no turning back.