Sports

From the broad glass panes of the sight of Australian cricketers surrounding the pitch for a closer look when the coners were removed briefly, was all too familiar.

In this edition of the Border -Gavaskar series, the Australians have been obsessed with the natural of the surface and veered off from their time- tested methods with disastrous consequences. The demon of self – doubt has been Australia ‘s biggest scourge with the will Steve Smith at the helm now, can the visitors turn the corner mentally

The predominantly dry, black -soil pitch with a smattering of red, should encourage spin when the third test gets underway at the Holkar stadium here on Wednesday. Leading 2-0 in the four the kill. The Indians left the choice of opening partner the out of from K. L Rahul or the red hot shubman Gill – up the air. The in- from Gill should play.

Not surprisingly, much focus will be on R. Ashwin and Ravindra jadeja. Ashwin’s run- up and release have rhythm, with his hip drive and the man near in which he pivots being major factors. Although a finger spinner, Ashwin employs both his wrist and fingers to create a variety of deliveries

The one that goes through straight and the delivery that hangs in the air and then drifts away combines with deadly effect with his off – spinners. There is flight, deception and venues. On these surface, jade-jas quicker through the air variety – he uses the crease capably is potent. Vicious turn and bounce with the arm – ball slipped in between have fetched jadeja a whopping 17 wickets so far. Ashwin has 14. And, Indias batting depth has provided the runs for the spin duo to attack.