The mother of all battles

Nikhil Chopra

So after a lot of dilly-dallying on the security issue, the Australian cricket team finally touched down on Indian soil for what is being dubbed as the mother of all battles. What makes the series even more anticipated is the fact that the last series played between the two teams, when India toured Australia earlier in the year was nothing short of a duel where ‘ammunition’ was fired from both the sides, both on and off the field.

However, the Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that he hopes nothing of that off-field activity takes place in the current series, which is a fair statement to make considering that it doesn’t do any good for the spirit of the game.

For the Indians, this will be a litmus test where doing well will not only cement one’s place in the team but also wash the bitter memories of the Sri Lanka series where the Indians cut a sorry figure. Performing well against the best team in the world can even extend an individual’s career.

During the past few years, India have been the only team who have been able to stand up to the mighty Aussies and look them in the eye. Perth Test, where no team had been able to beat the home side is a substantial example in support of the argument.

While the Indian spinners, led by the experienced duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh will be firing on all cylinders in their home conditions, the Aussies will be missing the services of a quality spinner like Shane Warne or even Andrew Symonds who can always roll his arm over for a few gentle off-spinners.

India – Pakistan battle was once considered as the greatest cricketing rivalry in the world but the way the last series between the Indians and Australians was played, it is time for this duel to dawn the mantle of the mother of all battles.