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Ishant Sharma took a leaf out of pace partner Zaheer Khan's book and decided to spend the best part of Thursday, the day prior to the first Test, sleeping rather than sweating it out in practice at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. With Harbhajan Singh doubtful after having suffered a calf strain, and Zaheer just having returned from injury, the lanky Delhi pacer is expecting to bear the burden of leading India's attack over the next five days. And with the curator having clearly indicated that the pitch will not have the characteristic bounce and pace of a typical Mohali-wicket, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be well aware that though his team starts off as favourites, living up to that billing is set to be a daunting task. Especially with a bowling attack minus their most experienced wicket-taker.
The men from Down Under have always paraded into India as the unofficial world champions of Test cricket and as overwhelming favourites. Ricky Ponting's men were still ranked No. 1 in Tests when they lost 2-0 in 2008 to an Indian team ranked two places below. The downturn in Australia's fortunes, however, has coincided with Dhoni's merry men climbing to the top spot, which they have held onto for 10 months now. But though the visitors are ranked three rungs below the hosts this time around, they might well hold more aces than expected going into the series. And despite the parity in their rankings, the two teams for a change will face-off on an even keel.
Considering that there is hardly any time for recovery in a two-match series, India will have to shake off their reputation as bad-starters and avoid ending up in a catch-up situation. The hosts haven't won the first Test of a series against Australia since 1998. The Australians on the other hand have struggled to finish off on a high note after taking the early initiative. They took the series lead in 2001 and 2004, before losing the plot by the final Test.
Terrific record
Meanwhile, India have enjoyed a terrific track-record at Mohali, not having lost since going down to the West Indies in the first-ever Test played here in 1994. And it was here that India got the upper hand over the Aussies in 2008, where Ishant dismissed Ponting and Michael Clarke, and Amit Mishra picked up a five-wicket haul on debut.
The leg-spinner though has struggled ever since, while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is still to make a mark. And if India do have to go in without Harbhajan, they might struggle against the Aussies, intent on setting the record straight.
Ponting has also reiterated that his team's bowling attack is more penetrative this time. And the onus might once again be on the formidable Indian batting line-up to bat their team into a winning position. The favourites tag has never sat too well with the team holding it in a India-Australia contest, but Dhoni & Co will be hoping that they change that trend.
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