Kumble in Delhi Test

3rd Test starts tomorrow (29-10-08) in Kumble's happy hunting venue and the one question in all the cricket lovers mind is "Will the Aussies put up a fight in this test match". Kumble is back to lead the team and fully fit to take his place and with 55 wickets in last 6 tests in Delhi, he must be raring to go and hoping that the favorite ground brings him back to form. After long long years Indian Team Management has a very tough task in picking the playing XI and Cheeka must be wishing that Harbhajan is not fit to play the match so that there is no issues in selection. Harbhajan is nursing a toe injury and is a doubtful starter for the Delhi test.

Aussies are under great pressure to perform and prove that they are as good a team as they were few years ago. This Australian team reminds me the AlanBorder team which was fighting the transition from retirements of Hughes,Lillie,Marsh etc. Pontings top guns are not firing and the Australian media is making things worse by accusing that the seniors are not playing their part and forces few changes in the team. Clark has made it clear in his pre-match interview that the senior players need to come good to save the test series. He has also mentioned that the seniors should be thinking of the present series and not get carried away with the long season ahead (summer in SA,Ashes etc).

Ponting started with a brilliant century in Bangalore but has not been able to repeat the same in Mohali, he has even gone to S.Waugh to get his problem corrected in playing the in- swingers. Hayden,Clark,Hussey,katich,Ponting should score runs and there should be a big innings from these guys to put up a decent score. Bowling has been the weak link and i don't thing S.Clark inclusion will change things dramatically, with Lee losing his wicket taking ability in the dry slow wickets its going to be a uphill task for the Aussies to come back to terms and win the test, having said that, i have a feeling that, if Hayden and Ponting get runs the whole thing will change and the bowlers will get confidence and runs behind them to get the wickets.

The curator has mentioned that as usual the ball will start turning square from the third days afternoon session and the toss is going to be very vital. Kumble might even send Dhoni the lucky man to spin the coin to win the toss and bat first and make full use of the turning track from the 3rd day.

Wish that Australians put up a fight in this test.