How does one stop the Australian juggernaut as it inexorably moves toward a second consecutive World Cup victory? I was asked this question in a current affairs program on television yesterday, and I replied that only India have the goods to beat the Australians. The best way to take on Australia is to beat them at their own game.
This is not very easy, because the Australians always are able to start well. Whether it is batting or bowling, the opening duo invariably wrests the initiative from the opposition. Their batters always try to score at four or five an over, while Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee invariably make inroads into the opposition’s top order. If they meet India in the finals, they will try to replicate the bowling plan that worked so well for them at Centurion last month. Lee and McGrath will try and bowl two lengths, either full or short, while Andy Bichel would try to tighten things up.
However, as I have mentioned, these tactics worked a month ago, when the Indians were short on confidence. Since then all the batsmen have gradually found form, and now they are brimming with confidence. True, Sehwag and Ganguly still look suspect against true pace, as was seen yesterday against Shane Bond, but the side is a lot more confident on the whole. I would advise Ganguly to bat second if he wins the toss against Australia.
I think India would find it easier to play Australia if they bat second. When they bat first, they seem too anxious to preserve wickets in the first 15 overs, and don’t play too well in that period. Batting second will make them more relaxed as there is a tangible total to target.
Speaking of targets, I am sure the main target for the Australians will be the scalp of Sachin Tendulkar. He himself would know that the ball will be flying past his nose right through the opening spell of Lee and McGrath. His performance against the Kiwis notwithstanding, Tendulkar is in sublime form, and I doubt that he will be intimidated or subdued by anything the Australians dish out for him. He is playing at his best and is aware that he has to fire in that crunch game. If the Indians get through the first 15 overs unscathed, with Tendulkar still standing, the game could be won.
As far as the bowling is concerned, I think the Indians have a bowling attack that could test the Australians. Javagal Srinath, Zaheer and Nehra have the ammo to take on Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, and the battle between the southpaws and the left-arm bowlers will be crucial as well. I am glad that the Indians played their best attack against New Zealand because bowlers like to bowl as much as possible when they hit a hot streak.
They will be happy with their performance against the Kiwis, and that will give them the confidence they need when they play Australia.
This Indian team is hot. They started slowly and have built up the momentum nicely. Australia also look hot, but they remind me of our 1996 campaign where we won everything, till we ran across Brian Lara in the quarters. Sometimes, playing so well for so long just implies that a reversal is coming up soon. Who knows, India, who broke Australia’s 16-Test winning streak, could also break their record streak in one-dayers
