Ricky Ponting’s progress will be closely watched

Amidst the headlines captured by the common wealth games, as it draws nearer , there is some cricket being lined up as well .The Australian team is here to play two tests , followed by three One Day Internationals .Both Mohali and Bangalore , venues for the tests should be able to hopefully produce result.

The last time India played Australia at Mohali, Australia were handed a heavy defeat of 320 runs margin and that should certainly give them a lot of confidence .India enjoy a good record at the PCA stadium in Mohali, only losing to the West Indies in the first match played on this ground, while the ground has produced five draws out of nine matches played.

With Bangalore also reciting the same tale of eight draws out of seventeen tests played so far, it should be interesting to note that the declaration might just be an important factor to compel a result .While India has rewarded Cheteshwar Pujara’s form and consistency at the domestic level , his name would only be in the team sheet if there is an injury amongst the top six in the batting line up .Suresh Raina would occupy the number six slot after his fruitful tour of Sri Lanka , with Sachin Tendulkar Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman constituting a potent middle order.

The last time India played Australia in 2008, Dravid had a forgettable series aggregating 120 runs at an average of 17.14 in 7 visits to the crease. While Rahul Dravid would be aware of that statistics and keen to settle the scores with the Australians, runs in this series would pep up the confidence to do well against south Africa and New Zealand in future .The batting would determine the winner in the series as Australians would have done their homework on Virender Sehwag continues to get attention of the opposition .

The Australian spin department looks suspicious with no real match winner and one wonders what happened to Jason Kreja after his 8 wicket burst in Nagpur, during the last Australian trip in 2008.

It would be also an important series for Ricky Ponting. Ponting’s last ton came nine months back against the Pakistan and he is showing signs of decline already and this series well might ascertain if the time is ripe to hand over the captaincy reins to Michael Clarke. He averages 40 in the last ten test matches and looks a far cry from the batsman he once was, with 209 coming in a single outing to the crease, way below his career average of 54.66.

From an Indian standpoint, Harbhajan Singh, doubtful starter for the Mohali test would be wondering how to bring that strike rate down, as he appears to have lost his wicket taking ability.

Shane Watson has started of f the tour in style with back to back hundreds and should give Indians food for thought.

A series win in India will give tremendous tonic to Ricky Ponting for his next high profile assignment. He must have spent endless time mulling over the combinations to register an Ashes win on his illustrious resume.