Just like on the 2007-08 tour of Australia, the Indian tourists find themselves 0-2 down with two Tests to go.
Just like on the 2007-08 tour of Australia, the Indian tourists find themselves 0-2 down with two Tests to go.
In short, they cannot win the series from here and going by the way Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his tortured teammates have stood up to the opposition, only a miracle can see them square the series.
Yet, India must look reality in the face and work towards picking themselves up for January 13's third Test battle in Perth. Sure, the pitch will be bouncy and the Fremantle Doctor breeze will not always work to an advantage, but India have to muster some self belief and blend it with a chunk of hard work. Ability in the batting order is a constant.
If Virat Kohli is going to miss out in the Perth Test, then Rohit Sharma should have the best possible preparation. Yes, the team needs some rest and recreation after playing back-to-back Test matches, but a club game could help Sharma get into the groove for what could be India's biggest test.
It won't be difficult to find someone who can use his good offices and get Sharma to be a guest player on the Aussie club scene. Ravi Shastri, who has played in Perth several times, said on television yesterday that the practice wickets at the venue are similar to the ones in the centre of the 40-year-old Test ground. So that should be a plus.
India were beaten fair and square in Sydney, but they must look at the positives of yesterday's action. Gambhir, who was much ridiculed before the fourth day of the Test, found some runs and rhythm. And VVS Laxman, who was close to getting the sitting duck tag, scored an encouraging 66u00a0-- a huge improvement from first innings' score of 2.
While past records don't matter when the first ball of a game is bowled, India can draw some motivation from their famous Perth Test win on the 2007-08 tour. It didn't come without grit and toil with a bit of luck sprinkled in. The real Team India must stand up.
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