Indo-Aussie tour

The Australian tour to India promises to be a great series in making. Its stature has been equated to that of “Ashes” by some. Undoubtedly, this series will decide the course of Indian cricket for at least few years. It will give directions to the Indian selectors as to whether to stick on to the “fab four” or not. I personally feel they should be phased out of the team gradually and this phase-out should start after this series in order to prepare well for the 2011 world cup. All these players are well past their prime and this was clearly visible in the test series in Sri Lanka. The current series involving “A” teams from India, Australia and New Zealand has shown many “Gen Next” players who can replace the “fab four”.

The Aussies have there own share of problems. With most of there senior players such as Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and McGrath having retired, they will have a tough time to replace such players. They come to India after a shocking defeat to Indians in the tri-series. They have lot of new players, who could buckle down in the testing Indian conditions.

The built up for the series amongst Indians has been high due to the Harbhajan-Symonds controversy and the Sydney test. Indians find this as perfect opportunity to beat the Aussies comfortably and avenge their defeat down under earlier this year.

One cannot miss two players who will decide to course of this series. Virender Sehwag and Mattew Hayden will be the most influential in the forthcoming series. If either of them dazzles, the opponent’s best laid plans can go for a six and if they falter, that will force their team to go into a shell. Both of them can set the tone for an entire innings, even a match at times. Every one saw in the test series in Sri Lanka, how Sehwag single handedly won the second test match.

Sehwag is batsman who can demolish the best bowling line-up with his superb timing and his “hit the ball when it has to be” attitude. There is always an air of optimism with him around in the line-up. The manner in which he constructs long innings is an example to follow for any young cricketer. People criticized him for lack of footwork and his impulsiveness. But Sehwag is neither a clown nor a fool.

Hayden has been a formidable opener for long time and toured India for many times earlier. Unlike Sehwag, he does not pulverize the opponent right from onset. When he feels the moment is right he intends to take the bowling apart. And when he succeeds, the Aussies are unstoppable.

The series may not produce high quality cricket like the India’s tour in 2003-04, but it will be a test for the teams to come out strong from their share of problems and about two individuals who can change the tone of the series single-handedly.