Brisbane, Dec 16: When India take on Australia in the second Test of the four-match series starting here Wednesday, the visitors’ challenge would not only be to play against a strong opponent but also at a ground which has been Australia’s fortress since 1988.
Having already suffered an agonising last day defeat in the first Test of the four-match series, India will be bolstered by the return of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who would look to improve his poor overseas record. India have lost the last three successive overseas Test series under him.
In Dhoni’s absence, the visitors were ably led by stand-in skipper Virat Kohli, as they came very close to winning the first Test before losing out on the fifth and final day by 48 runs in an intense chase.
India do not have a member in this squad who has played Test cricket at this ground. The visitors’ last Test here was during the 2003-04 tour, when Sourav Ganguly set the tone with an imperious knock of 144 and Dhoni will perhaps need an act of similar inspiration when he marshals his team in the second game.
Dhoni’s return means Wriddhiman Saha will be warming the benches. Ravindra Jadeja is also unavailable for selection owing to injury and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has already been ruled out with his replacement Dhawal Kulkarni joining the squad.
R Ashwin looked busy in practice ahead of the match and it is anticipated that he will return to the team. If India do go in with five bowlers then Rohit Sharma will have to sit out, not having done much of note in the first Test.
While India chose to keep their playing eleven close to the chest, Australia Tuesday declared their playing XI on the eve of the match. Their new Test captain Steven Smith did the honours and has opted for two left-arm fast bowlers with Mitchell Starc lining up next to Mitchell Johnson.
Ryan Harris is not fit owing to a slight quad strain, while Peter Siddle looked below par in Adelaide and has been dropped. Shaun Marsh comes into the side in place of Michael Clarke, with Steve Smith moving himself up to the number four spot.
The most important name to be included though is that of young speedster Josh Hazlewood. His pace and bounce has been much talked about recently and it will be interesting to see how he bowls against the Indian batsmen.
Meanwhile, as Australia’s 45th Test skipper, Smith can expect a stern challenge in his very first charge. India will want to hit back hard particularly seeing that an inexperienced hand is steering the hosts’ ship.
Squads
Australia: Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson
India (probable): M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami.
PTI