Will India keep Australia from completing last rites?

From an Indian perspective the venue for the last test couldn't have been better to conclude what was touted as India's best chance to win a test series Down Under against a depleted Australian side. India have fond memories at Adelaide. It was here only in 2003-04 when Dravid was at his sublime best and took India home with a gritty fifty in the all important fourth innings. Not to forget his double hundred in the second innings and Agarkar's inspired bowling effort in the third which set up the match for India.Those distinguished efforts saw India take a lead of 1-0 against a more powerful Australian team.

In 2012 though, the scenario is antipodean. India are down 3-0 and not as much as the fact that they have lost all the matches so far is agonizing but the manner in which they have is. With each test match the duration of the game has only become shorter and the Australian conditions have only exposed the frailty of Indian batsmen. But conditions at Adelaide are likely to give some respite to them. The pitch is ideally suited for batsmen and favours the spin bowlers as well with a little something always for the fast bowlers thus offering every individual playing the game a chance to contribute. Also, it is the same pitch where Australia lost to England on the fifth day in the Ashes last year. 

India should feel at home at Adelaide

All India need is for the batsmen to break the shackles, get over the past and start afresh. The bowling is not as much of a concern since the likes of Zaheer and Yadav have done reasonably well. Zaheer has been unlucky though not to have picked as many wickets as he deserved but his effort like always has been above par while Yadav in many ways has been the find of this tour. It remains to be seen whether India can avert the dangers of yet another whitewash, but in the absence of the regular captain MSD the onus of an inspired fightback will definitely be on Sehwag not only as an opener but also as the leader of a dispirited Team India.