In EM Forster's classic novel A Passage to India, the visitors set off with goodwill and good intentions, but everything becomes lost in translation and disaster ensues. "Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate," Forster writes. It is still so on passages to India.
In almost half a century, Australia has won only one Test series there, in 2004. Only England has won there since. In a long, long home season dating back to before last year's AFL grand final, India has played nine Tests against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh for eight wins and a draw. Now it is Australia's turn. The auguries are not good. Even Ricky Ponting is hoping for no more than a respectable defeat.
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Australia's enthusiasm, far from dampened, appears to have been whetted, oddly enough. The scale of the challenge appeals to something in the nation's psyche.
In all the years of West Indies' tyranny, Australians did not turn away, but were on the case with ever increasing zeal. When England wrested away the Ashes in 2005, getting them back became a national cause, more urgent than defending them ever was. Some of that spirit is abroad now; India is the mystery we have to solve.
There are 24 million theories, but only 11 can put theirs into practice, two at a time, so picking the right team is crucial. England chose a team not to lose in India, and failed. It was full of all-rounders, which meant they took a lot of beating, but after the first Test did not look likely to win.
Australia has tried to pick a squad and a team to win. In Pune, reportedly, that might include three spinners. It would be bold, but boldness is Australia's least requirement. Even when defending, Australia must be decisive. This reasoning underpins Peter Handscomb's approach to spin. He comes out of his crease not to follow some sort of reckless, attack-at-all-costs policy, but because it is how he feels most comfortable when facing spin. Handscomb, though a novice, will be something of a barometer for Australia.
But the Australians must keep an open mind. India's spinners and spinning pitches are portrayed as the big bogey. Spinners, fair enough: R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have taken 107 wickets between them in those nine Tests. Pitches, not so much.
Australia is haunted by memories of a couple of dustbowls on its last ill-starred visit in 2013. This summer, though, India have presented a range of decks, as might be expected at nine different venues (with four other, different venues to come). None have been unplayable. Generally, scoring has been high. Only twice in nine matches have India been out for less than 300, and seven times they have made 400 or more. Virat Kohli has made three double centuries in those matches, four altogether since July last year.
With runs in the bank, India could take its time. They bowled out their opponents 17 times in 18 innings, but only three times in less than 75 overs. It didn't much matter who batted first. England did in four of their five Tests, and made 400-plus in three of them, but lost 4-0.
In a nutshell, India seemed happy enough to back their spinners over the long distance on standard pitches rather than give a mug spinner a rogue's chance on a bunsen burner. Every match lasted at least four days. Of course, in the anarchy that is Indian cricket, each curator will do his own thing.
The point is that rather than spook themselves about how terrifying the conditions might be, the Australians must psych themselves into exploiting them when and where they are good. Old hands, veterans of Indian tours past, say the first half-hour is the hardest. Steve Smith can and will take the attitude that whatever Kohli does, so can he.
In an eventful summer, Australia plumbed the depths, then scaled the heights. Two months ago, India in India looked like mission impossible. It still looks like it will take a miracle, but at least we now know that miracles are possible. Unlike A Passage to India, it is not over yet.
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