Battered and bruised but Team India remain in high spirits

Shardul Thakur

Australia last lost a Test at the Gabba in 1988. In 31 consecutive Tests, no international team has managed to penetrate the Gabba fortress. But if Australia thinks such a prolific record can intimidate the current Indian line-up then they are in for a surprise. Team India are bruised, battered and on the last ounce of energy. They are running out of troops and options, but their confidence and spirit remain extremely high.

Brisbane can be torturous for the visiting batsmen and bowlers. The bounce and pace of the pitch often make foreign bowlers bowl far too short and the batsmen's drives end up in the slip cordon. The most productive way of dismissing a batsman is to find the outside edge of the bat.

Indian bowlers throughout the series have attacked the stumps and packed the leg-side with fielders. It's a tactic that worked in the first three matches, but on the well-paced Brisbane pitch, it will be harder to keep the Australian batsmen quiet on the off and middle stump line. The task will be made even harder given the fact that Jasprit Bumrah is highly unlikely to play. Bumrah is suffering from an abdomen strain and it is believed that if he bowls at full throttle, there is a strong chance of tearing the muscle.

Bumrah's absence should provide an opportunity for Shardul Thakur. The Mumbai pacer once again bowled for a substantial time in the nets and India will need all his endurance if they are to suffocate the Australian batsmen.

Thakur is likely to be accompanied by Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj. A call on R Ashwin will be made closer to the match with the off-spinner suffering from a twinge in his back. Rishabh Pant is recovering well, but a decision on whether he will keep wickets is yet to be taken. If Pant plays as a batsman then Wriddhiman Saha will bat at No. 7 and Mayank Agarwal will be part of the middle-order.

The pitch at the Gabba generally starts on the slower side and quickens up as the match progresses. The surface can be slightly tacky on the first morning, but the true nature of the track is only revealed on Day Two or Three.

The height of the Australian bowlers is a definite advantage and the manner in which the Indian batsmen handle the bounce will decide which side emerges on top.