Ricky Ponting at the Kotla nets yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK

Australia doesn't have a lot of wiggle  room at the selection table, so their main source of improvement for the Delhi Test will be to play better. 

 The struggling Australians desperately need a big knock from Matthew Hayden to get them off to a strong and fast start. His lengthy presence in the centre would have a confidence-building effect on the rest of the side, while his aggressive approach also helps dilute the influence of the Indian spinners. 

 If Hayden fires and Ricky Ponting can get back in the runs  it would have a huge positive effect on the rest of the team and be just the fillip Australia needs to fight their way back into the series. Australia desperately needs a big score if they bat first in Delhi so that there is some scoreboard pressure on the Indian batsmen to help compensate for their threadbare slow bowling options.

Batters' challenge

With Mahendra Singh Dhoni having aggressively attacked the slow bowlers in Mohali, it will take a huge effort for them to re-assert their authority.

The only way this can happen is if the Australian batsmen make plenty of runs and then the faster bowlers get early wickets to put India's batsmen on the defensive.

 The Australian batsmen will benefit from being less pressured by Anil Kumble's captaincy rather than the more aggressive leadership style of MS Dhoni.

However, Kumble can easily compensate for that difference by taking wickets and bowling up to his normal standard at the Feroz Shah Kotla.   

 If Kumble is back to form,  then Australia will need the best players to set the pattern and that means not only a good performance from Ponting and Hayden but also when they bowl, Brett Lee. If Lee has any anger left over from the misunderstanding with Ponting in Mohali it would be best directed at the Indian batsmen. 

 One of the big differences between this Australian team and the sides of the recent past that were heavily impregnated with champions is they now rely on a dwindling core of stars to assert their authority in a match. 

 If the champions perform in Delhi and the rest of the players contribute, then Australian can bounce back from their deflating loss in Mohali. However, if India continue their good aggressive cricket and they remain dominant over Ponting, Hayden and Lee then Australia is doomed to a series loss.