MELBOURNE: A series of heavy-handed penalty tests on both sides will draw to a suitable height in Brisbane where a humble Australian will aim to crush a sick Indian side at their Gabba stronghold.
Australia’s confidence was caught in the third test as Indian bats held on for a heroic draw in Sydney but Tim Paine’s side are holding on for the definitive leg of a series that has been live as the most suitable.
With regular captain Virat Kohli on his father’s leave, India have challenged injury tax to keep the series alive but now there are not many bullets left to shoot.
All-round Ravindra Jadeja has been scratched and speed astronaut Jasprit Bumrah is expected to rule after an abdominal strain in Sydney, meaning the Indian attack could be in the hands of three rookie climbers when which starts the game on Friday.
And Gabba is nowhere to be injured in the walk, with Australia missing at the stadium since 1988.
In short, India have a mountain to climb Ajinkya Rahane, even if a draw would be enough to hold the Border-Gavaskar Cup two years after their 2-1 win in the 2018/19 series in Australia .
The home team have had their own injury challenges, with Marcus Harris replacing Will Pucovski after the rookie opener was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Opener David Warner was clearly hampered by his groin restraint while working for a run in Sydney but the former lefthander was cleared to play.
Australia’s problems are more on the mental side, with India’s instability having dominated their captain and mattresses on the final day in Sydney.
Paine was moved to apologize this week after losing his cool, abusing Ravichandran Ashwin and dropping three catches behind the stocks, which could have none of them have unlocked the game for Australia.
The wicket keeper’s captain was arguably the worst day in office since he took over the team following the Newlands ball blocking scandal in 2018.
Damage reviews are likely to follow the blows of Australia’s home series and the Gabba’s back could be a destination for Paine’s presidency a year out from England’s tour in Ashes.
He will continue his campaign to deliver on a pitch that tends to reward fast pace, and will hopefully also get Nathan Lyon among the wickets as the 33-year-old saves his 100th test after follow-up construction in the series.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen both teams confined to their hotel rooms in Brisbane before and after training tours, a painful end to a long and heavy journey in the “bubble”.
Paine said with a chair that Australia would leave the problems behind when they took the field at the Gabba and that they would have the same focus on administering the coup de grace.
“For me, it’s about rising above it and focusing on what I do and focusing on leading my team and not worrying about what I’m doing. going on the other side, “Paine said Thursday.
“We’ve talked a lot … about controlling what we can control and focusing more on ourselves. Because if we do that we’ll be in a good position.”
(Edited by Peter Rutherford)