The Adelaide pitch will provide India some much-needed respite. Sydney was also a good track to bat on and we saw how the Australia middle order made use of it. Adelaide is traditionally a good batting pitch and with the temperature being on the higher side of the 30's, the pitch will get drier.
Spin is expected to play a role in these conditions, so apart from the pitch favouring the India batsmen, their spinners too will look forward to this game. The spin-friendly conditions will see Nathan Lyon return to the Australia side. This means that one of the fast bowlers will have to be left out. I feel sorry for that bowler because all the Australia seamers have put their hands up when it mattered.
A lot has been said about the poor Indian batting display, which is true, but the Australia pacers deserve much of the credit too. With that kind of bowling, they would have tested any batting lineup in the world. Ever since Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill's departure, the Australians have been short of a quality spinner and India don't see Lyon as a genuine threat. In a short career, he has impressed and what is good about him is he looks to attack and pick up wickets. In the race for Indian wickets, he seems to have missed out but Adelaide, especially post-Day Three, will present him an opportunity to join the race.
Shaun Marsh's form in this series has been a worry for the hosts. The No. 3 is a crucial spot and he hasn’t got going. He is an exceptional talent and has the technique to excel at the highest level. He hasn’t been comfortable against Umesh Yadav, who has caught everyone’s eye. Umesh has chalked out his dismissals well. Marsh had a wonderful start to this Test career last year and was in brilliant form prior to getting injured. It’s never easy to make a comeback but it seems he is trying too hard. He needs to keep it simple and look to spend more time in the middle rather than going for strokes early on.
{{/usCountry}}Shaun Marsh's form in this series has been a worry for the hosts. The No. 3 is a crucial spot and he hasn’t got going. He is an exceptional talent and has the technique to excel at the highest level. He hasn’t been comfortable against Umesh Yadav, who has caught everyone’s eye. Umesh has chalked out his dismissals well. Marsh had a wonderful start to this Test career last year and was in brilliant form prior to getting injured. It’s never easy to make a comeback but it seems he is trying too hard. He needs to keep it simple and look to spend more time in the middle rather than going for strokes early on.
{{/usCountry}}Change... will it be?
The series is lost for India and they don’t have much to lose. Virender Sehwag, who will lead the side, holds the key to India’s chances. Unlike what we have seen so far, I wish the new India captain will lead the side like the way he bats — aggressive and positive. He has some fond memories of the ground from the last tour where he scored a brilliant hundred.
It is a great opportunity for wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to grab the opportunity. Perhaps Adelaide will give India the best chance in the series so far. I am looking forward to this match, which will also probably be the last Test in Australia for the great Indian trio.