Nilesh Kulkarni and Sairaj Bahutule, two of the four Mumbai men who figured in the playing XI of the series-deciding Test vs Aus in 2001 at Chennai, talk about Saturday's finale in Dharamsala
India and Australia will find it hard to combat the intense pressure as they head to Dharamsala for Saturday's Border-Gavaskar series decider.
This is only the second time since the epic contest in 2001 that a full India vs Australia series on the sub-continent will be decided in the final Test. Australia won the opening Test of the 2016-17 series in Pune by 333 runs. India stormed back to win the second in Bangalore, while the third Test in Ranchi ended in a draw.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2001, Australia crushed India in the first Test at Mumbai before India miraculously won the Kolkata Test. Chennai, where the third and final Test was played, ended in India's favour.
Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly's playing XI had three Mumbai players — Nilesh Kulkarni, Sairaj Bahutule and Sameer Dighe. Leg-pinner Bahutule, who made his Test debut in that Test after scoring a half century and claiming Australians four wickets in the tour game at Brabourne Stadium for Mumbai, felt that in spite of the pressure, the current Indian team have 80 per cent chances of winning the Dharamsala Test. Left-arm spinner Kulkarni, who was the last unbeaten batsman in India's dressing room during the 155-run chase at Chennai, put India's chances at 60-40.
Sairaj Bahutule
Bahutule wants Shami
Bahutule now coaches Bengal who lost the Vijay Hazare Trophy final to Tamil Nadu on Monday. He felt the conditions in Dharamsala are conducive to fast bowlers. He called for the inclusion of Mohammed Shami. "In the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, Shami looked fresh, very quick and in good rhythm. His pace and reverse swing were very effective. It will be the selectors' decision, but Shami could be a good surprise factor," said Bahutule. Although the former Mumbai captain backed the inclusion of pacer Shami, he didn't talk down India's spin force. "Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin are capable of getting wickets on any pitch. The way the Indian team is playing now, I would go with 80 per cent in favour of India to win this Test and series," he added.
Nilesh Kulkarni
Kulkarni: Aussies are tired
"Australia's bowlers are tired especially the pacemen and don't forget they played a Test match only a few days ago. Their task now is not going to be easy in Indian conditions. To bowl 200 overs in an innings is a huge task," said Kulkarni.
The lanky former spinner is not worried about R Ashwin's not-so-great performance at Ranchi. "Ashwin played a very important role in complementing Jadeja. They will complement each other in Dharamsala too," Kulkarni added.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
