India and Australia will find it hard to combat the intense pressure as they head to Dharamsala for Saturday’s Border-Gavaskar series decider.
This is only the second time since the epic contest in 2001 that a full India vs Australia series on the sub-continent will be decided in the final Test. Australia won the opening Test of the 2016-17 series in Pune by 333 runs. India stormed back to win the second in Bangalore, while the third Test in Ranchi ended in a draw.
In 2001, Australia crushed India in the first Test at Mumbai before India miraculously won the Kolkata Test. Chennai, where the third and final Test was played, ended in India’s favour.
Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly’s playing XI had three Mumbai players — Nilesh Kulkarni, Sairaj Bahutule and Sameer Dighe. Leg-pinner Bahutule, who made his Test debut in that Test after scoring a half century and claiming Australians four wickets in the tour game at Brabourne Stadium for Mumbai, felt that in spite of the pressure, the current Indian team have 80 per cent chances of winning the Dharamsala Test. Left-arm spinner Kulkarni, who was the last unbeaten batsman in India’s dressing room during the 155-run chase at Chennai, put India’s chances at 60-40.
Sairaj Bahutule
Bahutule wants Shami
Bahutule now coaches Bengal who lost the Vijay Hazare Trophy final to Tamil Nadu on Monday. He felt the conditions in Dharamsala are conducive to fast bowlers. He called for the inclusion of Mohammed Shami. “In the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, Shami looked fresh, very quick and in good rhythm. His pace and reverse swing were very effective. It will be the selectors’ decision, but Shami could be a good surprise factor,” said Bahutule. Although the former Mumbai captain backed the inclusion of pacer Shami, he didn’t talk down India’s spin force. “Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin are capable of getting wickets on any pitch. The way the Indian team is playing now, I would go with 80 per cent in favour of India to win this Test and series,” he added.
Nilesh Kulkarni
Kulkarni: Aussies are tired
“Australia’s bowlers are tired especially the pacemen and don’t forget they played a Test match only a few days ago. Their task now is not going to be easy in Indian conditions. To bowl 200 overs in an innings is a huge task,” said Kulkarni.
The lanky former spinner is not worried about R Ashwin’s not-so-great performance at Ranchi. “Ashwin played a very important role in complementing Jadeja. They will complement each other in Dharamsala too,” Kulkarni added.
Remembering Chennai 2001
Sairaj Bahutule
I remember Harbhajan Singh putting a lot of pressure on Australia while Nilesh (Kulkarni) and myself had to play supporting roles. Sourav was brilliant as a captain. He believed in our ability and gave confidence to play our natural game which helped me a lot to go out and perform.
John Wright (coach) also made me comfortable and honestly, I didn’t feel I was playing a Test match.
Nilesh Kulkarni
I experienced what pressure was all about in that Test match. I was the last not out batsman on that last day. I felt my legs were heavier by 20 kilos because we still needed 20 runs when the seventh wicket fell. I was next man in with Harbhajan Singh and Sameer Dighe at the crease. It was great to see Bhajji scoring the winning runs with debutant Sameer at the other end with an unbeaten 22.
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