Indians have history and Chennai crowd to back them

The Chennai Tests against the Australians have always been significant battles. In 1969-70, one witnessed a close match, and in 1986-87, we had the exhilarating Tied match, a clash in which yours truly was also involved.

Then one witnessed Sachin Tendulkar's extraordinary strokeplay in the duel against the Mark Taylor-led Australian team in '98, a Test India won with ease in the end.

This time around, it is the decider and the Test is bound to produce exciting fare. The sporting Chennai crowd is also expected to add to the atmosphere.

Coming to the Test, the Indians hold the edge mentally, having crushed the Aussies at the Eden Gardens, coming back from the brink.

The great partnership between V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid, and the demoralising effect it had on the bowlers, may have an impact on this Test also.

As a side that had a world record run in Tests, before the reverse at Eden Gardens, the defeat would have jolted the Australians. In fact, all the pressure is on them in the final Test as the unofficial world champion.

Batting has been a major worry for the Australians, apart from Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist, the others have not really contributed.

On the other hand, the Indians will go into the final Test in a confident frame of mind, and watch out for Sachin Tendulkar too who was in a dominant mood in Mumbai.

India should opt for a normal wicket, that will help the spinners as the match progresses. Preparing a stark turner might backfire like it did in Mumbai. And since pace spearhead Javagal Srinath has been left out due to an injury, Sourav Ganguly should partner Zaheer Khan. In other words, India should go in with three spinners.

One would be inclined to pick Sarandeep and Sairaj Bahutule to back Harbhajan Singh, the trump card. With a host of lefthanders in the line-up, off-spinner Sarandeep would support Harbhajan well, with Bahutule being the leg-spin option.

As the India `A' coach, one has watched Bahutule in his formative years. Apart from being an useful leggie, he is a handy batsman as well. In fact, picking him would add depth to the Indian lower order.

Finally, to the selection of the team. There has been inconsistency with the left-arm spinners being the worst hit. Spinners are long-tern investments, but the selectors are looking for short term gains.

Left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi should not have dropped in the first place and then after Venkatapathy Raju was picked, he should have been persisted with.

The point is, if a player is selected to represent the nation, it is harsh to dump him due to one performance.

At least Raju was lucky. Poor Hirwani, recalled, did not get to play in a single Test, before being cast away. The need to show vision.

K.SRIKKANTH.

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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