Border Gavaskar Trophy:India Vs Australia (Australia in India 2008)- Preview

The Aussies are back in India for a gruelling series. They may be the number one test team in the world but they have their taks clearly cut out: Fight against a strong Indian side, spinning wickets and the hot & humid climate.

When they came to India in 2001, they were unable to conquer what Waugh described as the 'Final Frontier'.
The Australians came back with renewed vigour to conquer the Final Frontier in 2004 with a 2-1 victory in the tests. In 2004, fast bowling was a major strength for the Aussies with a pace bowling attack spearheaded by Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. They backed it up with an attacking field placement.

Having won the last 2 series against India (in India 2004 and Australia 2007-08), the pressure will still be on the Australians to show their mettle and win the series.Saying that 'India start as favourites to win the series' might be an understatement. There are many reasons for this:

1. Only 4 members of the current Australian squad have played a Test in India - Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich.

2. India have a strong team if not the strongest team ever. The Fab Four (Ganguly, Sachin, Dravid and Laxman) have tasted success against the Aussies. Injury worries are minimal.

A lot of people feel that this might be India's best chance to beat Australia. Even Kumble felt so. You can read an article on the same here:
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100357331800.htm
To sum it up lets take a look at the Strengths and Weaknesses of both teams
India
Strengths:

1. Fab Four
2. Harbhajan and Kumble who have troubled the Aussies in the past.
3. Home advantage

Weaknesses:

1. Lack of ability to overcome pressure.
2. Inability to sustain pressure on the opposition (Australia) for consecutive sessions (which is necessary to win a test match)

Australia
Strengths:

1. Effective strategy and game plan
2. Ability to intimidate and pressurize the opposition

Weaknesses

1. Relatively inexperienced squad
2. Pressure on Ricky ponting to perform.(Ponting has a dismal record in India. You can find the related story here: http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/371574.html )
3. Aussies may be distracted by hostilities continued from the previous tour between players (Harbhajan and Hayden etc.)

But the Australians are unpredictable and they always come back strongly when they are written off.
So it needs to be seen whether the Indians can capitalize on their home advantage or buckle under Aussie pressure...
Come Thursday ( 09 October,2008) and the cricket fans will witness the beginning of yet another Renewed Rivalry.
I have managed to get tickets for the 3rd Days play for the First test At Bangalore.
Hope the game is played in the right spirit and is not marred by any controversies

Schedule

October 2008:

Thu 9 - Mon 13
09:30 local, 04:00 GMT 1st Test - India v Australia
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Fri 17 - Tue 21
09:30 local, 04:00 GMT 2nd Test - India v Australia
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh
Wed 29 - Sun 2
09:30 local, 04:00 GMT 3rd Test - India v Australia
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

November 2008:

Thu 6 - Mon 10
09:30 local, 04:00 GMT 4th Test - India v Australia
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur

More to follow...........