After the Indian Batsman delivered against the Pakistani attack that lacked its fire power,the ultimate test comes when they tour Australia this month.I was specially happy with the way the middle order was shaping up.Everyone looked in good touch getting runs under their belt.But the point that causes a concern is our bowling.it looks very ordinary.It lacks that ability to penetrate into the batting line up consisting of the likes of Younus Khans and Yousufs.Thinking about the fact that they have to pick twenty wickets against the likes of Pointings,Hayden,Gillys and Symonds is surely a tough task.Again here I’d rather look at the batting as our main stay.Unless our Batsmen put up big score , there will not be any pressure on the Aussies.

Now let us look at the squad that has been chosen.

India – Anil Kumble (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ishant Sharma, Pankaj Singh, Dinesh Karthik.

As I said there is little doubt about the strength of our batting line up.I feel that the Indians will go in with the current openers, Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer, for the first test atleast. Then you’ll have Rahul Dravid followed by Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and Dhoni as the other Batsmen.

Or maybe Sehwag may be given his slot right from the first test.Sehwag has been picked just because of his record down under.They should rather allowed him to plan in this home series against the Pakistanis before the tough tour.If they plan to slot in the in-form Yuvraj, thenI’d rather love to see Tendulkar step up as an opener.Having done this before it shouldn’t hamper his game.What matters is whether he’s mentally up for it.

Then comes our utility player Irfan Pathan.The Indians should play him as he’s pretty handy with the bat.But he should make sure that he also delivers with the ball.He provides the flexibility to the team.He adds up as the eighth batsman and also as one of our strike bowlers.

Then comes the problem.With already eight spots confirmed and with just three remaining for the taking Kumble is the ninth one for sure.It will be quite interesting to see whether Kumble will go in with two pacers or one spinner and a pacer for the other two spots.With Sydney and Adelaide pitches assisting spin, it will be interesting to see how Kumble handles this.

Pathan should lead the pace attack with both Zaheer and Munaf being not completely fit.As far as I think probably R.P.Singh and Ishanth Sharma will make it to the playing eleven if Zaheer is declared unfit.It will be better to play Ishanth Sharma play as it will give a new dimension to our otherwise monotonous left arm pace attack.

Or even they may decide to go in with an extra bowler if Tendulkar agrees to open.So there are a lot of possiblities as of now.I don’t understand the point in taking the rookie Pankaj Singh.Its no way going to work out.They should have rather picked Sreesanth.

They should have put the recent home series against the Aussies to rest and should have taken Sreesanth.I don’t think he is injured as such.Probably they want him to stay away from the Aussie assault.Thats a wrong move as that might have even back-fired to them.

Nothing is assured unless the coin is tossed.We don’t even have a clear cut view of the playing eleven.Loads of gates are open and lets see which Kumble chooses.It would rather be better that the selectors allow Kumble to choose his playing eleven as he knows best what is required for his plans.

Kumble sounded pretty positive.But what matters is that he should have this same frame of mind during trying conditions in the course of a game.I’m eagerly waiting to just enjoy the feast for the offer.