The Indian team reached Ahmedabad with their spirits high. The victory against West Indies has provided the much-needed elixir to the side that was much maligned and criticized. They are now positive of beating the Aussies in the knock-out game on Thursday. “Everyone will be available for the selection for the game,” said a team source in an clear reference to Virender Sehwag, who had to sit out of Sunday’s game in Chennai due to an injury. “He is fit and will play,” he added. Who Sehwag will replace has not been decided yet. Suresh Raina or Yusuf Pathan should make way for the opener. Form in the nets in the next couple of days will be crucial for them.
There is a perception, rightly so perhaps, among the players that this Australian side is no longer invincible. “There should not be any problem. We can beat them,” the team source said. “Everyone is confident.”One of the reasons for the assurance is the recent struggle of the defending champions, whose winning march was halted by Pakistan on a rather slow wicket in Colombo. There is every chance that the pitch in the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera could be morphed into a slow turner.
The Australian pace battery, consisting of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson have not accurately sent shivers down the spines of the batsmen but there is nothing wrong in having a wicket that is helping your strengths. Till late on Monday night, no instructions were sent to the curator or the hosts Gujarat Cricket Association(GCA) but there is every chance that a wicket assisting the Indian spinners, rather than Australian pacers, could be laid. As hosts, India are entitled to have the pitch of their liking. The curator of the pitch, however, refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the sources said the team was happy with Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to walk against West Indies on Sunday. It led to an early breakthrough for the West Indies, something the team did not want but the team management did not feel Sachin did anything wrong. “We can’t question someone for doing something right,” said an important member of the side. “We’re proud of him.”The same, of course, cannot be said of a certain Ricky Ponting, who had questioned his deputy Adam Gilchrist for walking during the last edition of the World Cup. This, of course, is a different story.
There is a perception, rightly so perhaps, among the players that this Australian side is no longer invincible. “There should not be any problem. We can beat them,” the team source said. “Everyone is confident.”One of the reasons for the assurance is the recent struggle of the defending champions, whose winning march was halted by Pakistan on a rather slow wicket in Colombo. There is every chance that the pitch in the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera could be morphed into a slow turner.
The Australian pace battery, consisting of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson have not accurately sent shivers down the spines of the batsmen but there is nothing wrong in having a wicket that is helping your strengths. Till late on Monday night, no instructions were sent to the curator or the hosts Gujarat Cricket Association(GCA) but there is every chance that a wicket assisting the Indian spinners, rather than Australian pacers, could be laid. As hosts, India are entitled to have the pitch of their liking. The curator of the pitch, however, refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the sources said the team was happy with Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to walk against West Indies on Sunday. It led to an early breakthrough for the West Indies, something the team did not want but the team management did not feel Sachin did anything wrong. “We can’t question someone for doing something right,” said an important member of the side. “We’re proud of him.”The same, of course, cannot be said of a certain Ricky Ponting, who had questioned his deputy Adam Gilchrist for walking during the last edition of the World Cup. This, of course, is a different story.
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