Where Dwellings
Madan's arrival will also benefit the team he is known to stress fielding and commitment. His views match Sachin's and, with both cracking the whip, the team should display more purpose. Gone hopefully are the days when we lost for want of effort.
If Kotla crumbles Kumble would be decisive, leaving Johnson to busy himself with drinks, much like Srinath when Kapil chased Hadlee's record some seasons back. After a temporary slide, Kumble seems to have rediscovered his rhythm. When the track is doing a bit he, like viral fever during the monsoons, is difficult to escape.
Joshi's emergence has coincided with Raju's eclipse (the poor chap couldn't bowl in the Challenger because of conjunctivitis!) and Kapoor, though impressive must start taking wickets. Which is not a problem with Hirwani who is dreadfully slow off the wicket but possesses the priceless knack of wicket taking. Often his bad balls get good batsmen out as lollipops are smashed straight to deep mid-wicket, short balls square cut to the point fielder.
Warne's absence must be a major relief. As the world's most potent spinner, he could easily ruin India's party in Delhi. Replacement spinners Macintyre and Hogg are hardly going to trouble our top players.
But the Indians do have some concerns, most prominent being an unsettled opening pair. Sidhu, accomplished and experienced, is currently being disciplined for walking out midway in England. Jadeja is sacked, found wanting in runs and technique at the top of the order. Rathore survives despite constant non-performance he is a clean striker but painfully immobile of feet.
As neither Sachin nor Saurav will risk opening, Mongia be-
comes the logical choice. A bottom-handed player, he favours the cut, is a resolute occupier of the crease who gets into line and nudges the ball around the square.
The other worry for India is batsmen who, unused to tests,
often play as though for a limited overs slog. In England we lost the first test through careless batting and thereafter could not catch up. Excessive one day cricket puts you in the fast forward mode whereas you need to slow down, play out maidens and bide time.
The Australians haven't had much practice but their batting runs deep and is vastly experienced. Their all round strength makes them the world's best side, a distinction they'd want to maintain. Certainly McGrath/ Reiffel will need to pull something special out of the bag.
More than anything else, the Kotla track will hold the key to the contest.