AMSTELVEEN, 23 August 2004 — India have been pushed to the precipice and have to wage a do-or-die battle for survival when they face world champions Australia today in the second league match of the Videocon Cup tri-series cricket tournament.
The loss to Pakistan by 66 runs in the opener has virtually put India on the brink of elimination and more bad news in the form of injuries to two of their regular players has further compounded their misery in the competition.
Medium pacer Ajit Agarkar has been ruled out for today’s match due to a side strain. “Yes, Agarkar has a side strain and will not be playing against Australia,” said team manager Gautam Das Gupta.
Another doubtful starter is Mohammed Kaif, the middle order batsman and live-wire fielder. “Kaif has a strained shoulder and we have to see how serious the injury is,” said Das Gupta. But the good news is that left-arm medium pacer Ashish Nehra and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh have fully recovered from the viral fever attack and have been declared fit for today’s match.
Depleted by the absence of little champion Sachin Tendulkar who has to miss the tournament due to a left tennis elbow, India have to win against Australia to keep alive their chances.
A loss will eliminate them and Australia and Pakistan will qualify for the final. If that happens, the last league match between Australia and Pakistan will be of no consequence.
The Aussies are eagerly looking forward to their match with India after a long break from one-day cricket. “As is the case with every series we play in, we are going out to win the Videocon Cup,” skipper Ricky Ponting said.
This tournament is just ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in England and Australia are using it to prepare for the bigger event. “This tournament will be a really good preparation for the Champions Trophy which is very important for us. It is the second most important tournament after the World Cup,” Ponting said.
He continued: “We have never won the Champions Trophy and we have really come to claim it this time round.” The Australians had nets in nearby Utrecht and one could see Jason Gillespie going flat out. The team had loosening physical exercises and fielding practice, throwing and hitting the stumps.
Coach John Buchanan said this tournament was important for every member of the team. “We have 14 players and hope to give everyone a chance to prove himself ahead of the Champions Trophy. So this event is important individually for each player,” Buchanan said.
Opening batsman and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist is missing. He has stayed behind as his wife is due to deliver their second child and will join the team in England for the Champions Trophy. His replacement is Brad Haddin who according to captain Ponting would “walk into any side in the world” but has remained sidelined due to the excellent performance of Gilchrist.
In the absence of Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden is likely to push the team’s scoring rate. Ponting himself is capable of some big hitting.
It is going to be a hard battle for India as they are facing formidable opponents. But they have provided some major upsets in the past and Saurav Ganguly and his men may surprise their supporters yet again.
