Gullu's preview of India vs Australia , 2004

By Gullu
May 19 2004

When Australians defeated India within 3 days of first test match in Mumbai (2001), all the cricket fans were expecting a white-wash.

But Laxman's bat and Harbhajan's spinning fingers had some other ideas. India made one of the greatest comebacks in Calcutta test and then went on to wrap the series in Chennai.

India went to Australia for a return-tour in 2003. Many former Australian players had predicted Australia to sweep India 4-0 but once again young and agressive Indian team shocked entire cricket world when they took Australians head on. India drew in Gabba, won in Adelaide, lost in Melbourne, and drew in Sydney. Australians were shocked and awed by India's batting assault and the spirit shown by new rookie bowlers.

Both bitter cricket enemies meet once again in October-November 2004. Brett Lee has already said that this series will be more important then Ashes and determine the unofficial test champions of the world.

India have come up a long way since 2001 under Saurav Ganguly and John Wright. Sehwag's emergance, Dravid's super-batting, Tendulkar's consistency, Ganguly's grit, and Laxman's magic have made India one of the strongest batting line-up's in the history of test cricket. They've discovered some talented young fast bowlers (Nehra, Zaheer, Irfan, and Balaji) but at home, spin-kings Harbhajan and Kumble will have a greater say. Harbhajan Singh is coming off a surgery and he will be desperate to regain his bowling form.

Australians will have a new-skipper Ricky Ponting who started his captaincy-campaign by white-washing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Australian batsmen have improved their footwork against spinners and Warne rediscovered his bowling touch. McGrath is coming back from an injury and rumour is he has added a yard or two to his bowing speed.

Key factors:
Pitches: BCCI came up with two really dead pitches when India took on NZ at home last year. If BCCI serves up similar pitches, we will witness high-scoring dull series.

VVS Laxman: Laxman has been Australia's nightmare. He has scored 1334 runs against Australia in 12 test matches at an amazing average of 63. India will need another very very special series from VVS Laxman.

Ricky Ponting: Ricky Ponting was terrorized by Harbhajan Singh in 2001. He will be greatly tested by Harbhajan and Kumble in 2004 and captain Ponting will be under greater pressure this time around.

Shane Warne: Warne has been destroyed by Indian batsmen in every series. He was bowling at his best in Sri Lanka and lot will depend on Warne's bowling in 2004.

My take:
India to win 2-1 against World Champions Australia but I wouldn't bet my money on it.