Pushed to the edge, India hope to claw back in Sydney

Sydney, January 1 : Many expected that Anil Kumble’s team would wash off the crushing defeat in Melbourne by doing different things here. Instead, India, after resetting their mindset during a two-day break, have chosen to do things differently.

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.

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