Tendulkar return adds extra spice to 3rd Test
By Kunal Prdhan
Nagpur, India - The Test series between India and Australia, fierce rivals in recent years, did not need a shot in the arm.
But the return from injury of Sachin Tendulkar and the 1-0 lead the visitors enjoy in a bid to conquer their modern-day "final frontier" have made the third Test starting in Nagpur on Tuesday even more intriguing.
The Australians remember only too well what happened the last time they led a series in India with two matches to go.
Vangipurappu Laxman's 281 in Kolkata and Harbhajan Singh's 15 wickets in Madras in 2001 set up a stunning series triumph for the home team, with the result that former Australia captain Steve Waugh had to end his career marking India in the "one-that-got-away" column.
This time, however, the visitors are better prepared for an Indian resurgence after winning the first test in Bangalore by 217 runs.
The second match in Madras was poised for a close finish until the final day's play was washed out.
Australia stand-in skipper Adam Gilchrist has talked at length about how his team are aware of the hardships involved in winning a series on the slow and dusty local wickets that have traditionally given the home side an advantage.
The Australians last won a Test series in India in 1969, but Gilchrist believes the element of surprise, which India attacked them with last time, no longer exists.
However, the presence of talisman Tendulkar will give India a big boost.
The 31-year-old, out of action since August with a tennis elbow, was pronounced fit on Saturday, and the news sparked a wave of excitement in cricket-mad India.
Tendulkar's comeback will give the out-of-form middle order of Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and Laxman another reason to motivate themselves.
Winning is never easy in Nagpur, with the placid track holding no mystery for the batsmen.
A confident stride on the front foot is usually effective against seamers and spinners, although the pitch looks to have a greenish tinge this time around.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting, recovering from a broken thumb, has already joined his squad in India, but will only be available for the final test in Mumbai next month.
His mere presence, though, will lift the Australians, coupled with paceman Glenn McGrath's eagerness to make his 100th Test a memorable occasion.
McGrath, who has taken 446 wickets at an average of 21.73, has a long-standing rivalry with Tendulkar.
The tall seamer has captured 43 Indian wickets, including Tendulkar five times in seven Tests. On the other hand, the India master batsman has scored 1 789 runs, including seven centuries, against Australia at an average of 57.7.
Tendulkar's availability has thrown up a selection problem for India, with Yuvraj Singh or Mohammad Kaif, who celebrated his return to test cricket with a career-best 64 in Madras, likely to make way.
Australia may bring in paceman Brett Lee for Michael Kasprowicz.