Crucial third test begins tomorrow by CricketArchive

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Ground:	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Scorecard:	India v Australia
Player:	BS Bedi, GS Chappell, A Kumble
Event:	Australia in India 2008/09

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DateLine: 28th October 2008

 

Looking at the way both teams are preparing for this test match it would be fair to say that it would one of the most important test matches they will be playing in a long time. Both teams have a reputation to protect more so Australia after a heavy defeat in Mohali Big names in both teams will be under pressure to perform after not so successful results in the previous test match.
Anil Kumble will be the biggest name from both teams because not only will his captaincy be put to test,so all so will be his shoulder and his form.Things may be easy because he is playing in his favourite venue in Kotla where he has got the perfect ten,but still he would not want to be complacent. With Harbhajan also struggling to recover from a toe injury India will have its task cut out in the spin department. Dravid and Laxman would want to get some runs under the belt after the way Sachin and Saurav played in Mohali.
India will also be looking at their opening duo in batting and bowling to get the initial advantage in the test match and throw the first punch. Zaheer and Ishant with the ball and Sehwag and Gambhir with the bat were the architects of the fine win in Mohali.
From the Australian point of view they would want to get their best players firing on all cylinders. Brett Lee, Mathew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Ponting and Hussey would be key for them. Australia will also be wary about too many people saying too many things.First it was Greg Chappell, whom they brought with them as a batting coach. Now you have Steven Waugh giving some tips. Bedi was also seen at the Kotla giving tips to the spinners. Warne also heard saying that Aussies will bounce back.
When so many people are at your ears pressure can sometimes build leading to a situation where in , team can lose confidence thereby creating self doubts.But one thing one cannot discount the Aussies on is their fighting spirit. They have a lot of inbuild character which has made them the number one side over the years. And that is what will make this test match an interesting and an enthralling one. With both teams refusing to give an inch one expects a close finish.