The spunk is back in India146;s attack

Having won that series and held the Aussies on their own patch it is tempting to cast the visitors as outsiders. It is also a mistake. When the West Indian slide began falseness could be detected in their ranks. Bad habits crept in and lesser players strutted around as like a proud cock on a wall. It could not last.

No such deterioration has appeared in the series ranks of Australian cricketers. Nor has any cynicism been observed. To the contrary the team remains hungry and committed. Apart from anything else the side contains players with points to prove and positions to protect because competition, for batting places anyhow, is red hot. Australia will take an awful lot of beating.

Certainly it will not be a time for faint hearts, which is where Zaheer and Harbhajan come into the reckoning. No one doubts the spirit of these young cricketers. If anything they get carried away, Zaheer with his wild opening overs, the turbanned tweaker with his appealing. As far as faults go, hotness of spirit is not too bad because it reflects a refusal to kow-tow to anything or anyone. Both bowlers belong to the emerging class of Indian players, a group that either rejects or is not unaware of the mannered traditions of yesteryear. Not that C.K. Nayudu and Sunil Gavaskar exactly tip-toed around the field! Still, India had a reputation for crumbling overseas and also in the face of fierce assault from fast bowlers, with whose pace they were not familiar.

The current crop of players looks opponents squarely in the eye. They meet curse with curse and sometimes open the proceedings themselves! No-one pushes them around. Not even an Australian with zinc cream on his face and a comment upon his tongue.

Zaheer has been the mainstay of the pace attack for quite some time and must not be forgotten merely because others have raised their games in his absence. As long as umpire Steve Bucknor is not fussing about his follow-through, he bowls with sustained aggression and plenty of pace and has taken wickets in the best company.

Moreover, he does not tire as the day goes along, a quality that will be needed because the Australians are not inclined to give their wickets away. Also, he can swing the old ball and his inclusion means that India can keep attacking even when the spinners are weary and the ball resembles a doughnut.

Harbhajan had an unhappy time Down Under and ought not to have declared himself fit to tour. His eagerness to play can be put down to youthful exuberance. Moreover, the Indian team has become his family and he is loath to leave it.

A lot of love can be sensed in the Indian ranks which helps newcomers to feel at home. Certainly there is no hierarchy and it is mystifying that the captain of such a side is constantly described as autocratic if not aristocratic. A man must be judged by his deeds.

Harbhajan played an enormous part in his team8217;s victory over these opponents four years ago. Anilbhai could not play and the attack rested on his shoulders. He responded with inspired performances, fooling the Aussies with change of pace and a surprise delivery that defied detection. Throughout Harbhajan maintained the pressure, and he was helped by adroit catching around the bat, especially at leg-slip, a position that is often neglected these days.

Not everything has been plain sailing for the spinner since those brilliant performances on his own soil. Still, he has not stopped laughing and wherever he goes seems to be the life and soul of several parties. If he is back at his best then he has the bounce and spin required to trouble the Australians on any surface. Spinners are at their most effective in pairs and Kumble will appreciate the assistance provided by his youthful partner.

It could be a wonderful series, a battle between champions. India commands respect around the world and must now learn to live with favouritism. Australia must hope that its champions are likewise restored to working order, but they are older and it might take longer.

India caught their opponents unawares in Australia, batted and played with the utmost conviction and took advantage of a collapse suffered in Adelaide by a side unsettled by the retirement of its captain. Lately India has had the edge. Might be time to put a couple of rupees on the Aussies.

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