I ndia has a better than good chance of winning the series in Australia this time around. I am not saying that because I am a diehard India supporter, but because the balance is heavily tilted in India’s favour.
First of all, the Indian batting squad is at full strength and even the folks on the bench are in good nick. The second line of batters in Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rahane are all in good form and have a solid technique to back the form. With the firm of Viru and Gauti back at the opening slot, we can expect this line up to deliver scores in excess of 350 every time. The bowling is where we have a few concerns with the injuries. If the entire squad is fit, then the team of Zaheer, Ishant, Umesh Yadav and Ashwin will be quite formidable. But if we lose key bowlers to injuries, then suddenly the attack looks very raw and young.
The Australians have had a few problems of their own in recent times. The senior folks have not scored runs lately and the young guns have failed to find their rhythm. They have folded up to some very low scores recently and that failure will weigh very heavily on their minds. The likes of Ponting and Hussey have the press asking for their heads and they have survived only because the replacements have failed. Their bowling is also not the peak and they have struggled to get 20 wickets consistently. The only chance they have is if Ponting and Hussey strike form and some of the bowlers recover from their injuries rapidly. But in my mind, the pressure of the recent defeats will bear on their minds very heavily.
The Aussies have enlisted the services of Greg Chapell as an expert and that to me is a sure recipe for disaster. Greg Chapell was a good player in his times but his methods as a coach have been very counterproductive. I hope that trend continues and we come back with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time.
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