In the driver’s seat after two convincing wins, the stage is perfect for India to record their biggest-ever series win over a depleted Australia, who have been rocked by off-field controversies and dissensions, ahead of the third cricket Test starting here tomorrow.
If the humiliating losses in Chennai and Hyderabad were not enough, the once mighty Australians were dealt a body blow with the expulsion of four key players, including vice-captain Shane Watson, for breach of discipline, ahead of their must-win game at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
While India had been whitewashed on quite a few occasions by the Kangaroos, the hosts’ best efforts so far had been the 2-0 wins in 1979-80 (out of six Tests under Kim Hughes), 2008-09 (four matches) and 2010-11 (two games – both under Ricky Ponting’s captaincy).
This time around, if they are able to make it 3-0 in Mohali, it will be a welcome first for Indian cricket, against Australia, who had thrashed them 4-0 the last time they met at the Aussies’ den. India has never won more than two Tests in a series against Australia.
In the ongoing rubber, the visitors had been easily beaten by eight wickets in the opening Test in Chennai, before being inflicted an innings and a 135-run defeat in the second game in Hyderabad.
And Australia’s expulsion of four key players – pWatson, pacers James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawja – have only brightened India’s chances of scripting their best ever result against an opponent, who are going through a crisis situation.
Going into the match, India’s primary cause of concern, though, could be the blow star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara suffered during a net session yesterday.
Architect of India’s victory in the second Test in Hyderabad with a magnificent double ton, Pujara was hit on the left knee by a local pace bowler as he was batting in the nets. The batsman looked in considerable pain as he was forced to leave the nets.