Oct 13 2009
On the eve of the tour Down Under
This is the final frontier for all of us. We have conquered allmost all cricketing battlegrounds. Australia is the only territory we are missing in our final check list. Last time in 2003-04 we were so close to beating them in their own backyard. God willing…cricketing gods willing we will do it this time.
Indian cricket team left for Australia on the 16th of November. Mumbai Mirror spoke to some players in the team about touring Australia, team’s goals and wish list on the tour.
Sachin Tendulkar
Since I started playing for the Indian team, I have always relished challenge of playing in Australia. Actually speaking, ask any cricketer and he will tell you that this is the tour they want to stamp their authority. Each Aussie tour has offered fresh challenges. None of us can forget the last tour. We were 1-0 in the series and came so close to beating them in the final Test. Steve Waugh played like a true champ in that Test and saved the match for his team. I think our batting was top class in that series. Sehwag, Rahul, Sourav, VVS and me too scored big hundreds in that series. Because of our batting we could put up big scores on the board. This time also if we can score enough runs, we can take them on in the Test matches. Playing well in the first Test is the most crucial factor. First Test sets tone for the series. Normally Australian team always try to create pressure on the opposition side in the very first Test match. We have to put our best foot forward in the Melbourne Boxing day Test match. We should focus on playing session by session.
Rahul Dravid
Personally speaking touring Australia gives me big kick. This is the territory where I want to succeed, both as individual and as a team. All said and done, I think we are the only team which has locked horns with Australian team on regular basis. Especially in Test cricket, we have always challenged them. Talking about last tour also we were so close to beating them. For me it was a fantastic tour. Scoring the winning runs in Adelaide Test is one of the fondest memories of my entire career. If we want to challenge them, then we have to bat well. Our batting line up is powerful enough to take on their attack. But have to be positive all the time. Our team has perfect balance of youth and experience. Most of us have toured Australia before and that is going to help us. Anil has lead the team well. He is extremely motivated to do well in this tour. Being a natural student of the game, Anil must have done his homework. When it comes to playing Australia, that too in Australia, we have to click as a unit. They love to keep foot on accelerator all the time. That creates pressure and the team who can handle pressure and play positive cricket can succeed down under. So playing well as unit will be our topmost priority. Sourav will be playing his 100th Test in Melbourne so we have one more occasion to celebrate on the Boxing day. All in all we are looking forward to this tour.
M S Dhoni
II love to play against the Australians. I think they bring out best qualities in any cricketer. I have some experience of playing against them. Though I know, that playing against them in their back yard is different proposition all together. I have not toured Australia before. I have had word with seniors and they have given me valuable inputs. I am going to follow some guidelines given by seniors. Test cricket is different ball game. Playing well against Aussies in the Test series is going to be our first priority. I think we should be positive and aggressive. But aggression should be controlled aggression. We should not loose focus while being aggressive. I am looking forward to great learning experience. We surely know what the challenge is going to be. So we are ready for the battle.
VVS Laxman
We were the team who broke Australian team’s record breaking winning run in 2001. No one can forget that series. We were beaten by top class inning by Gilchrist in Mumbai. We were following on in the Kolkata Test. Then I and Rahul came together and batted for many sessions and we went on to win that Test and then series too. Our last tour to Australia was one of the best tours we had for many years. Taking a 1-0 lead was massive achievement. Our batting clicked in that series and for me that was the major factor. Opening partnership of Sehwag and Akash Chopra was deciding factor. We could pile on runs on regular basis, and that was vital. This time too I hope we get good opening partnership. Our batting unit is one the best in the cricketing world. All of us are in good nick. Sourav will be playing in his 100th Test in Melbourne and he is in great form. I think playing well in the first innings of the first Test will be a crucial factor. If we can score runs like last tour, then we can take them on. I think that we also have bowling power to get 20 wickets. That is why I am eagerly waiting for the Boxing day Test match.
Harbhajan Singh
Mera aur Australia ka kuch alag pyar hai….I love playing against them. No doubt about the fact that they are the best team in the world. Their consistency is amazing. They always play aggressive and positive cricket. Any given day in the Test cricket Aussie team will try to put up 300+ runs on the board. And if they are bowling, then they will try to rattle the opposition by bowling them out. Maza to ye hai ki, though I have played and succeeded against them, this is my first tour to Australia. I was not there last time in 2003-04 series. I am told by seniors that playing in Australia is different. I have heard that wickets in Australia offer good bounce to spinners also. I am eager to play well and contribute to team’s success on this tour.
