Opinion Melbourne again

Outside of Australia (and occasionally England),the Indian team today lacks a heated rivalry in Test cricket. This is entirely due to the demise of the India-Pakistan rivalry because of force majeure along with dips in form and opportunity. Now,the two nations merely compete in ICC World Cups,with the neutral venue model not sparking much fervour for bilateral series. In the glory days,the India-Pakistan series possessed all that one could hope for from a bitter rivalry. At that point,those were the equivalents of the Ashes for the Indian fan,and since they have lapsed,India-Australia series has acquired vital significance.

The contest between these two teams has seen both respect and condescension,hostility and gamesmanship. From the mutual admiration society of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne to the popularity of Tendulkar,V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid in Australia to the countless fans that Steve Waugh,Warne and Adam Gilchrist,among others,have in India — the co-mingling and interplay between the two teams rival few others. Throw in “Monkeygate” or an occasional breakdown in discreetness,and the ingredients for a gladiatorial combat are set for the making. The rivalries actually intensified during the 2001-02 series in India,and continued into the 2003-04 series in Australia. There have been legends made,such as Laxman,Harbhajan Singh,Waugh and Shane Watson. There have also been calamitous demolitions and one-sided contests. Ironically,in this series where the two teams are not at their optimal strength,and are in a somewhat transitional phase,the on-pitch competition should likely be the most balanced and intriguing.

However,this isn’t a battle between also-rans or has-beens. There are no gratuitous relics in these line-ups. Each commands a place based on form and legend. And while it is true that the Indian bowling attack is somewhat limited,and the Australian batting line-up somewhat untested,these are still two of the most dominant and feisty sides in the world. England and South Africa have not yet gone ahead of the competition,and an apple to apple contest between England and India would not nearly have been as one-sided,had Team India possessed the gifts of rest and health. Be that as it may,India and Australia are set to commence a war of attrition with all to gain,and pride to lose. India have the prototype of a modern-day captain in M.S. Dhoni. Australia,on the other hand,are still blooding Michael Clarke — an uber-talent as a cricketer,but still unconvincing as a captain in Tests. But the support of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey is invaluable,both as senior statesmen as well as shrewd thinkers in critical situations on-pitch.

Tendulkar,Dravid and Ponting,the three most prolific Test run-getters,will share the same pitch,possibly for the last series in their careers. Since India won’t be playing a Test series abroad in the next two years,this is likely to be the swansong for a few stellar athletes and brand ambassadors,Laxman,Dravid and Tendulkar included. That this series is in Australia where each of the three would trade any individual accolade for the elusive series win makes this the one to savour. Virender Sehwag,Dravid and Tendulkar are in fine form as are Virat Kohli and Laxman,and Australia has found its future stars in David Warner,Shaun Marsh and James Pattinson. This should be a series for the ages and for the ageless,of storied legends and storybook endings in a series billed as the subcontinent’s Ashes Down Under. That is,at least,until the dust settles.

The writer is a sports attorney
express@expressindia.com