'Seniors' pride hurt, they'll bounce back'

With barely a month to go before the Australians meet India in the first match of the four-Test series, fears are already being expressed Down Under about the monumental challenge the Kangaroos face in taking on the hosts in their backyard.

A lot has changed for Australia since India last visited their shores. Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hogg have retired; Andrew Symonds is fighting a battle to be mentally fit and in the squad; Brett Lee is overcoming personal problems following the break-up of his marriage; Matthew Hayden is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury while Ricky Ponting is yet to test his wrist after surgery a few months earlier.

To add to this, there is no Shane Warne or Stuart MacGill to challenge Indian's new spin problems. The replacement spinners, presently in India, are also struggling with injuries.

That, however, doesn't mean that India are on top and will begin as favourites. In fact, the team is in turmoil after the debacle in Sri Lanka; the unexpected but waiting-to-happen exit of Sourav Ganguly will only bring confusion into the team. Are the remaining members of the 'Fab Four' next in line? Or will this act as a spur for them?

As of now, though, they look safe. Sources close to the selection committee insist that they are counting on the tried and tested ones to lead from the front. "Our Test players are well prepared and well equipped to challenge the Australians. Whether spin or bounce, they surely hold the edge," said the source.

A couple of selectors too feel that the big series will bring the best out of them. "The trial by the media has been grossly unfair, particularly to Tendulkar and Dravid. They have been top performers in the world and their pride has been hurt. They will surely come out big in this series, given that their reputations are at stake.

"It will also be a big series for captain Anil Kumble, both as a captain and player," said one selector.

He, however, went on to add that out of the four venues, the pitches in Bangalore, Mohali and Nagpur could be to the liking of the Aussies. "Then again, the Aussies will miss their own senior players and it is always difficult for youngsters to adjust to foreign conditions, more so India."

Everything for India will hinge on the success of their batsmen, according to another selector. "If the batting clicks, India will have no worries. The bowling of late has been good. It was good even when we visited Australia. About spin, the pitches in India these days do not offer much turn anyway. In fact, most of our batsmen are not getting to play much spin even in domestic matches. Perhaps, that's the reason why we struggled in Sri Lanka," he felt.

Does it mean that India have no reasons to worry? "No. Fielding is a big area of concern. In Sri Lanka, our best fielders turned out to be Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag, standing at cover and point. But the players have some time on hand and the players would do well to raise their fitness levels."

The good show of opener Gautam Gambhir in Sri Lanka has also added to the team's strength and the selectors opined that he should be persisted with throughout the series. "He deserves a few good chances and we need to be consistent with him, else he may lose his confidence," said another selector.

But don't the other aspiring youngsters need the same support? "They will get it but this series will not be the proper platform to blood them. S Badrinath has proved himself technically and temperamentally and stakes a claim in the Indian middle-order. Mohd Kaif has also been doing very well and is worthy of a recall. Young Rohit Sharma has already shown what he's made of but he will have to prove himself in the long run."

There's a lot on offer for the fringe players and according to the men who matter, "The hopefuls should push their claims when India A will play two four-day practice games with the visiting New Zealand A side for the Tri-series also involving Sri Lanka A."

First, let's wait for the old warhorses to get through with their acts.