Standing on the cusp of history,an upbeat India will go for the kill against a beleagueredAustralia as they aim for an unprecedented 4-0 clean sweep byinflicting another defeat on the visitors in the fourth andfinal cricket Test starting here tomorrow.
Although the Indian team under Mohammed Azharuddinenjoyed a clean sweep against Graham Gooch's England back in1993 but it was a three-Test series.
In their 81-year history of Test cricket, India havenever won four consecutive Test matches in a series andMahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys will certainly hold thedistinction of being the first if they can get past MichaelClarke's men at the Feroze Shah Kotla.
Skipper Dhoni does not endorse the word 'revenge' insport but there is no denying the fact that his band of boyswill be keen on setting the record straight having lost theseries 'Down Under' by an identical margin.
A lot of people have been sceptical about praising theperformance of the Indian team against an Australian sidewhich many consider to be the most inexperienced team whichhas come for a series in the sub-continent.
But this series win has certainly helped Dhoni inpartially restoring his "Captain Cool" image which had taken aserious beating after losing 1-2 at home against England aftereight consecutive Test losses overseas.
On paper, India start as overwhelming favourites on a lowand slow Feroz Shah Kotla track as the Aussie batsmen are yetto decode India's spinners during a series which will beremembered for all wrong reasons from the visiting team'sperspective.
Adding to their woes, Michael Clarke is a doubtfulstarter and his unavailability will only dent their chance ofsalvaging some pride and ending the series on a happy note.
Shikhar Dhawan would be cursing his luck that he ismissing out on an opportunity to play a Test match in front ofhis home crowd after suffering a knuckle injury whilefielding.
Suresh Raina has got another lucky break in longer formatdespite repeated failures and knowing Dhoni's fondness for theUP left-hander, there is every possibility that he might getanother shot to redeem his Test career.
Given the lacklustre condition of the Australian bowlingattack, one won't be surprised if Raina also feasts on NathanLyon and co. and his career gets a second wind.
This will mean a tricky situation as to who will beopening the innings. For all practical purposes, it issupposed to be Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane who should bepartnering the in-form Murali Vijay.
There is a school of thought that Rahane has beenearmarked for a slot in the middle-order and the wait mightjust get longer for the Mumbaikar.
In case Rahane fails to earn his maiden Test cap,Cheteshwar Pujara might be seen opening with Vijay while Rainawill be taking the No 5 slot in the batting order. ViratKohli, who has the experience of batting at No 3, is likely tobe promoted.
The Delhi Test will be 198th in Sachin Tendulkar'sillustrious career and as per the ICC itinerary, India don'tplay any home Test matches in the next 12 months.
So one doesn't know if the legend will be again seen inaction in white flannels on the home soil.
The bowling attack looks more or less settled with bothBhuvneshwar Kumar and especially Ishant Sharma putting up amuch improved performance in the Mohali Test match.
What has been working for India is Bhuvneshwar has beengood with the new ball and Ishant has managed to get somereverse swing going his way with the old ball.