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ShareBefore the start of this Test series, Greg Chappell had said that Australia, somewhat short on experience, would be the underdogs this time. What he never told us was the unusual gameplan he might be hatching to turn the tables on India.
Chappell's influence was evident in Australia's strong showing in the Bangalore Test. His knowledge of India's players, pitches and conditions would have been invaluable in assisting Ricky Ponting define batting, bowling and fielding tactics which helped Australia emerge from the first Test with a decided psychological advantage even if the match finished in a tame draw.
This is not to undermine the contribution of coach Tim Nielsen. The dismissals of Sehwag,Tendulkar andDravid in both innings suggest that these were well thought out. The line of attack was clever and consistent, and the catchers seemed to be in perfect position. Australia's batsmen also looked like they had made a deep study of India's bowlers -- especially Anil Kumble -- in home conditions, and were able to nullify the spin threat effectively, admirably as Harbhajan bowled. Australia's drill had been splendid, as always.
Yet, the most significant aspect of their performance at Bangalore was the manner in which they approached this match. For more than 15 years as World champions, the Aussies have played with a bravado and arrogance that has left their opponents bloodied and befuddled. They have believed in a frontal assault with bat and ball, often scoring at more than four runs an over in almost every situation.
In Bangalore, however, Australia chose attrition over aggression, especially while batting. Till the bold, snap declaration early on the fifth morning when Ponting made a strong bid to seize a win by putting India's batting under pressure, it was all cat and mouse stuff, compelled somewhat by the slowness of the pitch, but perhaps ever more by the strategy which aimed at exasperating the Indian players, already highly vulnerable because of scrutiny from all quarters and in all departments.
This is where Chappell's knowledge, not only of playing conditions, but also the aggressive demands of the public and the defensive mindset of cricketers and administrators would have been invaluable. The debate over the senior pros has spilled over into mindlessness, and aggravated only by the premature hysteria over Tendulkar's impending world record. That took so much attention away from the task on hand that it led to chaos, which had to be exploited.
India, by all counts, were vulnerable, but the opening contest of the series was even more crucial to Australia. A false start, or misplaced bravado, could have possibly cost them the Test. Playing circumspectly would have meant swallowing some pride, but winning the psychological battle at least. Once that was achieved, Australia could bare their fangs again, Ponting's early declaration on the fifth morning revealed.
Ergo, after just five days in the series, Australia appear to have overcome their initial apprehensions and are beginning to look a champion side again. They have revealed depth and balance, and most of the players seem to be in very good form. Five top-class batsmen are followed by three all-rounders, two of whom could dominate international cricket in the future. Even more importantly, the bowling which looked weak, now looks capable of taking 20 wickets, with spinners Clarke and White doing enough for Ponting to trust their ability for longish spells.
India, on the other hand, struggled through the first Test, and but for the superb bowling from Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, there might have been grief to take away to Mohali for the second Test. Indeed, the tentativeness of the batsmen, especially in squaring up to Ponting's daring declaration on the last day suggests that India maybe on the backfoot already.
So, while hope remains intact, the psychological grip has been surrendered, which means Australia could now even go back to their overly aggressive tactics without too much compunction, or continue with a mix of attrition and aggression as in Bangalore. But don't expect Greg Chappell to tell us what just yet.
