Tendulkar, turbanator hold key

Remember, even in the practice games, India and Pakistan were put to shame by the local teams. That is what the one-day game is, so unpredictable!

This is also Australia’s second match; theirs is the team bubbling with all the confidence. And any suggestion that their extended run of wins may turn into overconfidence is, I believe, wishful thinking.

They have all the ingredients to become the champion once again. They are aggressive, rather, ruthless in execution. They have a batting line-up which can tear apart any attack in the world. Their bowling is accurate and menacing. Their fielding is of the highest order. What more can you ask for!

India have a decent record against the Aussies not only in the Test matches but also in one-dayers, especially where the wickets are true and responsive in some way to spin. The wicket at Centurion has always been known for batting.

And, since this is the end of the cricket season — which commences in September in South Africa — it is likely that it might respond favorably to genuine spin.

In fact, I should mention here, I just fail to understand why Pakistan did not include that wily off-spinner Saqlain in their line-up against the Aussies.

We have, at the moment, two definite trump cards up our sleeves. One is Sachin, who has always scored against the Aussies irrespective of the type of surface. Another is Harbhajan Singh, the turbanator! Australia have always been weak against genuine off-spin, for as long as I can remember. The massacre at Eden Gardens at the hands of Bhajji two years ago will still be quite fresh in their minds.

What the Indian think-tank is required to do is to bat first if India wins the toss. Some other batsmen should help Sachin pile-up the score and let Bhajji loose on them. If the wicket appears to be a turner, there is no harm having Anil Kumble in the eleven at the cost of one medium pacer.