India could draw solace from history at Perth where the batters have had their moments.
India’s underperforming batsmen will have to deliver in the must-win third cricket Test against Australia here. Except for Sachin Tendulkar, no top-order Indian batsman has been among the runs.
Tendulkar, one short of his 100th international ton, has scored 226 runs in four innings at an average of 56.50.
Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag have just about hundred runs from two Tests. Gambhir, despite his 83 in the second innings at the SCG, has not been anywhere close to his best. Laxman got 66 runs in one innings (at the SCG) and yet has only 71 runs from the tour. And, unlike England, even Dravid is struggling.
India, however, can take solace from history. They won the 2007-08 Test even though Australia opted for four quicks in the match.
The first match India played at this venue in 1977 had the tourists scoring 402 and 394 from two innings.
They had a first innings lead too. The next Test between the two at WACA was played only in 1992, still remembered for the dazzling century of a then 17-year-old kid Sachin Tendulkar.
Legends such as Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath too have hundreds at Perth, which could serve as motivation to MS Dhoni’s men.
Indian bowlers, meanwhile, will have to ensure that they do not allow the Australians to wriggle out of tight situations.
The home side was 214 for six before tailenders came to party in the first innings in Melbourne. They were 27 for four in the second innings. In their only knock at SCG during the second Test, Australia were tottering at 37 for three.
It seems an extra fast bowler is needed on a pitch which is green and lively and possibly offers more steep bounce than anywhere else in the world. Spinners don’t tend to do well here. After all even the great Shane Warne could only pick 37 wickets from 12 Tests at an average of 36.46 here.
Yet the Indian selection does not seem as straightforward. R Ashwin had gone for over 150 in Sydney from 44 overs and did not pick a wicket.
Australia, on the other hand, have a problem of plenty. There are no clear signals if Ryan Harris or Mitchell Starc would fill in the void of James Pattinson. Australia might still go with four quicks despite the apparent dislike of coach Mickey Arthur to leave out a spinner.
The mercury is rising everyday in the citadel of Australian cricket.
Sunscreens and lotions are being applied liberally in the nets. Besides skills and mental fortitude, the physical resources too could be stretched to the limit.
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