India takes berth at Perth

RP Singh castled the grumpy Shaun Tait, who had perpetually argued with himself while making futile efforts to bowl at his promised 170 kmph , and the rest was easily gauged by jubiliant celebrations mid-field. The formidable Aussies had catapulted finally, after transitorily causing extreme anguish when a defiant Stuart Clarke and a refulgent Mitchell Johnson raised memories of the famous Ashes Test, when Shane Warne and Brett Lee had almost pulled off a miraculous win. Fortunately, the comparison did not result in any such heroic bravado.

No cricket pundit would have made such a rosy forecast but the Indian team had actually achieved the most unexpected success; defeated Australia at the famed Waterloo of all courteous visitors; Perth. The story got an even more dramatic intermission point, because in the process Anil Kumble's boys had sent the kangaroos with their kukabarra on a wild hop, rudely interrupting their impressive record-sharing 16 continuous Test wins reality show. Ironically, Perth ended up becoming the deathly hollows for the Aussies themselves.

Captain Kumble was understandably thrilled; the whole of India was flabbergasted. Just a few days ago, amidst acrimonious exchanges between all and sundry post the Sydney Shame , with the Indians having an extended hibernation at Sydney, Perth looked like a virtual ground for preparing Indian mince-meat. Steve Waugh, normally prone to mature moderation, looked into his crystal ball and cockily predicted that Ricky Ponting's team was capable of 30 consecutive Test wins. The Aussie media, suffering from chronic condescension, believed that the fast-paced turf would result in an abridged three-day verdict, depriving season ticket holders ROI. And the world watched, perhaps believing that Perth would be the leveling point for cocky, audacious Indians, challenging established norms of international cricket because of their money muscle.

After all, hadn't India managed to successfully get an incompetent umpire due for superannuation benefits changed half- way through the series, which had been hitherto unprecedented? Hadn't they threatened to call off the tour if suitable rectifications were not immediately made on the crippling allegations against Harbhajan Singh on the Bandar-baaz issue ? Wasn't Cricket Australia looking suitably chastised, and scurrying around for a hasty compromise?

V Sehwag made a short but militant comeback, and my January Man, Rahul Dravid flourished with consummate ease. That Dravid failed to make a well-deserved century is a poignant feature of his current status , when he has battled several odds. Wasim Jaffer , is all good intentions but goodbye technique, and should probably do his shopping in Adelaide. Sehwag creates a " fear factor" in the minds of the Aussies, and that by itself is a psychological advantage against those who love to spook others. Sachin Tendulkar, has been bitten by the umpiring bug in Oz land, even though he must ask himself as to why he frequently forgets that the second innings is as important as the first. Sourav Ganguly had a rare twin failure after a thousand splendid suns , and must be chiding himself for those risky flirtations especially with the slips showing. VVS Laxman, a big wide benevolent smile and killer attitude to boot co-existing in relative harmony, showed why he is Australia's nemesis. MS Dhoni may have missed out on a sultry Bollywood starlet to his ODI deputy, but he hardly grassed any behind the stumps. And his sticky batting in both innings , in sharp contrast to his general propensities, was a welcome surprise. Irfan Pathan was all bat, ball and ballyhoo, as he modestly termed that he was not yet an all-rounder material. Pathan is a humble chap, but he is also smart enough not to raise unnecessary expectations. Ishant Sharma, resembling Bollywood actor Zayed Khan thanks to his looping curls, hoodwinked Ponting no less, and overnight has brought fame to his pointed nose, and that celebrated conversation between Sehwag and Kumble; . Bowling karega? RP Singh, the boy from Bareilly , is the ultimate trier, and although he looks an innocuous soul , his bowling is as devilish and deceptive as they come.

Given the off-field pressures of the week preceding the phantom contest at Perth, the triumph of the Indians will rank as a victory that perhaps got inspired by the mental toughness of their skipper. I think it had a contagious effect on the whole team. It was so obvious.

In cricket parlance, they often say the toss can be the deciding factor. In Perth, it was the captain's decision after winning the toss that sent the real message to Ponting's men. India was ready. Bring on , your vaunted speed-monsters. Kumble chose to bat on the supposed hellish track, girding for a rough battle. He took the bull by the horns. And in the process hit the bull's eye.

India has the momentum going into Adelaide. Kumble will now have to try and convert that momentum into a moment.