After conceding the seven-match series meekly, India will play for pride and seek a consolation win when they take on Australia in the seventh and final cricket ODI on Wednesday.
The series so far has been fought both on and off the playing arena and the formidable Australians, well known for their aggressive approach, will be keen to maintain their stranglehold on the hosts in the last game to be played under lights at the Wankhede stadium.
For the Australians Ponting emphatically said there could be one change, and that's if the "85 to 90%" fit Matthew Hayden is well enough to play. Then he'll come into the side, in place of either of the Brads, Haddin or Hodge. That will mean that Ben Hilfenhaus, who went through the World Twenty20 without playing a game, will have done the same in this seven-match series.
In the Indian camp, there's plenty of rumour over resting Rahul Dravid to make way for Rohit Sharma or Subramaniam Badrinath, but there's no hard news on the subject. Dravid certainly isn't overly bogged down over his lack of runs, or distressed, as there's plenty of cricket to come this season, in one-dayers and Tests. And it would be wise to look forward, for win or loss in the final game, this series is already well and truly finished.
The visitors have already taken an invincible 4-1 lead and the home team can at best reduce the margin and gain some condidence ahead of the forthcoming series against archrivals Pakistan.
The Indians, who were accorded a tumultous welcome in this city three weeks ago on their return as Twenty20 World Champions, have to put in a far more inspired performance to stop the Aussies from increasing the victory margin.
Come back for the live action at 09:00 GMT, 14:30 IST and 02:00 PST from the
Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Njoi...
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