Delhi Test: Going For The Kill

The atmosphere in the pre-match training session at Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday was far from what it normally should have been given the dead nature of the rubber-ending Test match between India and Australia starting Friday. There may not be any palpable frenzy in the air like what it used to be till even a decade back, when Test cricket was ailing but still alive, the seriousness with which India practiced over three hours showed they know what is at stake very well. For the first time after playing 83 Tests, India are just one win away from inflicting a historic 4-0 brownwash on Australia. Australia have never won a Test at Kotla since 1959 and the record isn’t under any threat whatsoever.

With India not scheduled to play a Test at home soil before next year, the fourth Test against Australia might be the last home game Sachin Tendulkar. We have been privileged to watch the master cast magic for the last 24 years. It’s time he lets someone younger have a go at his records.