DaRk WaVe
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All About ICC Champions Trophy 2009
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- Start date
SSGPA1
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Thats not the spirit ... this is wishful thinking ... spirit is when Younis Khan went to the Indian dressing room to shake hands ...
SSGPA1
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Lets look at the weaknesses of Pakistan team
Change the oponents with SA or Aus and this match would have been a loosing cause for Pakistan.
Pakistani players need to raise the level of their game otherwise they will probably not go to the Finals. Here are the weaknesses in general and from last game against India:
1. No understanding of Power plays: Pakistan consistently fails to score 6 or 7 runs an over. If we have batsmen like Imran Nazir then we need to give him freedom to bat with his madness and no blame if he gets out early. Whoever comes out to bat during PP, should have target of 6 or 7 runs an over atleast. Pakistan changed the entire momentum during PP yesterday after the first wicket and that shouldn't be the case.
2. No balls: I don't think any other side has given 7 no balls in this CC yet. This is a shame for a side which claimed its bowling to be the strength. This means 7 free hits and an extra over. I don't the fix for this problem but Pakistan need to come up with one before the next game.
3. Bowling to leg side of the batsmen: Most batsmen can score on the leg side and I don't understand why we bowled so many on the leg side. Why can't we concentrate on wicket to wicket bowling?? This will not work against teams like SA or Aus!
4. Six wickets lost in 4.1 overs: Fine put pressure on set batsmen and if they get out then send Afridi out so that he can take advantage of the last PP, BUT, we can't make Umar Akmal a Shahid Afridi so don't ask him to hit from the word go! Look at the English side and see how they reached 324, learn something please. Pakistan could have scored 310 easily but got stopped at 301 while trying to get 330.
DaRk WaVe
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New Zealand keep semi-final hopes alive
New Zealand turned up at the Wanderers needing a win to stay alive in the ICC Champions Trophy, and at the end of an intriguing match it was Sri Lanka who found themselves on the verge of flying home in disappointment. Defending an impressive 315, which was set up by a century opening stand and a muscular finish, New Zealand were given a scare when Mahela Jayawardene took Sri Lanka to within striking range. But they fought back, despite some shoddy catching, to secure a nervy victory.
Like any gripping novel, this cracker had decisive passages that determined the outcome. The first: Sri Lanka gambled on a four-pronged pace attack and that left them needing to do damage with the harder ball if they were to have a chance of restricting New Zealand. They let themselves down, and Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum posted New Zealand's second-highest opening stand against Sri Lanka.
The second: New Zealand crumpled from 125 for 0 to 140 for 4 before a spirited 69-run partnership between Daniel Vettori and Martin Guptill breathed life back into the innings. Sri Lanka suffered during the final five overs, as New Zealand held back the Powerplay and slammed 61 runs off those five overs.
And the third: Sri Lanka were picking their way delightfully into a daunting target, their openers having set the tone in a free-spirited manner, but New Zealand turned the tables in a trice. Their four-pronged seam attack found more bounce on a flat track than Sri Lanka's had, indicative of three wickets falling to deliveries held back on length. Despite Jayawardene's brave hand Sri Lanka never recovered.
For 19.5 overs there had been little that Sri Lanka's attack could do about Ryder, the genius residing in him stirred by a pulled left abductor muscle, which would rule him out of the rest of the tournament. Ryder enjoyed some good fortune: he was let off by Ajantha Mendis at third man on 12, a misjudgment that left Sri Lanka aggrieved. Ryder didn't look back after that reprieve, kick-starting the innings with a stream of withering pulls and drives, aided by the help of a runner. He reached fifty off just 28 balls and with McCullum put on 125.
New Zealand wobbled thereafter, losing four wickets in 24 balls, but what followed was a terrific rearguard that helped New Zealand reach their highest score against Sri Lanka. Thriving in the company of Guptill, Vettori found the gaps with ease. Guptill knocked the ball around while Vettori took on Lasith Malinga early, slapping a six over third man. Some sloppy fielding in the middle overs, with a massive run out going begging, added to the pressure being released.
Vettori's dismissal in the 42nd over turned into a potential roadblock but Guptill, having contributed just 16 to the previous partnership, carried on to score a fluent 66 - a fine, hard-working innings even as the threat of losing partners lingered around the corner. James Franklin showed his worth on return to the side, clubbing an unbeaten 28 from 21 balls.
During the Sri Lankan chase, Shane Bond looked unsure of where to bowl in his opening over when Sanath Jayasuriya clipped four and Tillakaratne Dilshan sent him for three boundaries in four balls. Dilshan latched on to anything off line and outscored Jayasuriya, who replied by sauntering out and flat-batting Bond and Kyle Mills through extra cover.
Fortunately for New Zealand, Daryl Tuffey took care of Jayasuriya, who charged at a short ball and top-edged to midwicket. It was hard to comprehend why Tuffey was held back to first-change when he makes crucial contributions in his first over. Mills was given another over despite his first four going for 30, and had reason to smile when Dilshan top-edged to deep square leg for a 31-ball 41. Kumar Sangakarra failed to cash in on a drop by Vettori when on 0, nicking a short-of-a-length delivery from Franklin to slip.
Three wickets fell, whereupon began a tense period. Tuffey made Jayawardene push outside off stump, but was let down when McCullum put down a nick. There are few batsmen who bring a more assured presence to the crease than Jayawardene. If New Zealand needed any reminding, he soon gave it to them, shoring up the pressure with determination despite two more wickets falling in relative succession.
South Africa has not been Jayawardene's favourite destination but he looked to reinvent himself here with a display of crisp batting that helped take 54 in the batting Powerplay. Every corner of the ground was pinged with alarming control, and with Nuwan Kulasekara weighing in, Sri Lanka briefly flourished. Vettori bowled Jayawardene with 97 still needed; Kulasekara boosted the total with his maiden fifty but it turned out to be mere a footnote in a special win for New Zealand.
New Zealand turned up at the Wanderers needing a win to stay alive in the ICC Champions Trophy, and at the end of an intriguing match it was Sri Lanka who found themselves on the verge of flying home in disappointment. Defending an impressive 315, which was set up by a century opening stand and a muscular finish, New Zealand were given a scare when Mahela Jayawardene took Sri Lanka to within striking range. But they fought back, despite some shoddy catching, to secure a nervy victory.
Like any gripping novel, this cracker had decisive passages that determined the outcome. The first: Sri Lanka gambled on a four-pronged pace attack and that left them needing to do damage with the harder ball if they were to have a chance of restricting New Zealand. They let themselves down, and Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum posted New Zealand's second-highest opening stand against Sri Lanka.
The second: New Zealand crumpled from 125 for 0 to 140 for 4 before a spirited 69-run partnership between Daniel Vettori and Martin Guptill breathed life back into the innings. Sri Lanka suffered during the final five overs, as New Zealand held back the Powerplay and slammed 61 runs off those five overs.
And the third: Sri Lanka were picking their way delightfully into a daunting target, their openers having set the tone in a free-spirited manner, but New Zealand turned the tables in a trice. Their four-pronged seam attack found more bounce on a flat track than Sri Lanka's had, indicative of three wickets falling to deliveries held back on length. Despite Jayawardene's brave hand Sri Lanka never recovered.
For 19.5 overs there had been little that Sri Lanka's attack could do about Ryder, the genius residing in him stirred by a pulled left abductor muscle, which would rule him out of the rest of the tournament. Ryder enjoyed some good fortune: he was let off by Ajantha Mendis at third man on 12, a misjudgment that left Sri Lanka aggrieved. Ryder didn't look back after that reprieve, kick-starting the innings with a stream of withering pulls and drives, aided by the help of a runner. He reached fifty off just 28 balls and with McCullum put on 125.
New Zealand wobbled thereafter, losing four wickets in 24 balls, but what followed was a terrific rearguard that helped New Zealand reach their highest score against Sri Lanka. Thriving in the company of Guptill, Vettori found the gaps with ease. Guptill knocked the ball around while Vettori took on Lasith Malinga early, slapping a six over third man. Some sloppy fielding in the middle overs, with a massive run out going begging, added to the pressure being released.
Vettori's dismissal in the 42nd over turned into a potential roadblock but Guptill, having contributed just 16 to the previous partnership, carried on to score a fluent 66 - a fine, hard-working innings even as the threat of losing partners lingered around the corner. James Franklin showed his worth on return to the side, clubbing an unbeaten 28 from 21 balls.
During the Sri Lankan chase, Shane Bond looked unsure of where to bowl in his opening over when Sanath Jayasuriya clipped four and Tillakaratne Dilshan sent him for three boundaries in four balls. Dilshan latched on to anything off line and outscored Jayasuriya, who replied by sauntering out and flat-batting Bond and Kyle Mills through extra cover.
Fortunately for New Zealand, Daryl Tuffey took care of Jayasuriya, who charged at a short ball and top-edged to midwicket. It was hard to comprehend why Tuffey was held back to first-change when he makes crucial contributions in his first over. Mills was given another over despite his first four going for 30, and had reason to smile when Dilshan top-edged to deep square leg for a 31-ball 41. Kumar Sangakarra failed to cash in on a drop by Vettori when on 0, nicking a short-of-a-length delivery from Franklin to slip.
Three wickets fell, whereupon began a tense period. Tuffey made Jayawardene push outside off stump, but was let down when McCullum put down a nick. There are few batsmen who bring a more assured presence to the crease than Jayawardene. If New Zealand needed any reminding, he soon gave it to them, shoring up the pressure with determination despite two more wickets falling in relative succession.
South Africa has not been Jayawardene's favourite destination but he looked to reinvent himself here with a display of crisp batting that helped take 54 in the batting Powerplay. Every corner of the ground was pinged with alarming control, and with Nuwan Kulasekara weighing in, Sri Lanka briefly flourished. Vettori bowled Jayawardene with 97 still needed; Kulasekara boosted the total with his maiden fifty but it turned out to be mere a footnote in a special win for New Zealand.
salman nedian
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Another weakness is that strike rotation is very important. Batsmen should keep on taking singles and doubles so that in 30 overs without power play they can score 150-160. That is the reason why I believe Fawad Alam should play in middle order because he is good at strike rotation. I hope in next match against Australia we will see Asif and Alam in action. Gullie needs rest and this is the chance for Asif to get some match practice.
DaRk WaVe
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India in battle for survival
Match facts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Start time 14.30, 12.30 GMT
Big picture
There are all sorts of scenarios and permutations about which teams could make it through to the semi-finals in Group A but the simplest is this: if Australia beat India, it will be Pakistan and Australia who progress. The group will be done and dusted with two games to go. Things become more complex if India win. They will be in prime position due to their remaining game against a weakened West Indies and Australia's fixture against an unbeaten Pakistan. However, should India and Australia either both win or both lose their last group game, net run-rate will be required to determine the semi-finalists.
It means that there's a lot riding on this day-night encounter and neither team enters the match in peak form. India have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions at Centurion, where they lost to Pakistan on Saturday. Australia are coming off a win but it was a scratchy and in parts unconvincing victory against an under-strength West Indies in the different conditions at the Wanderers. It's hard to predict a winner, though the bookmakers favour Australia.
Australia will be most concerned about breaking India's opening partnership early; Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar have troubled Ricky Ponting's men in the past and Australia's fast bowlers lacked penetration against West Indies. The presence or absence of the stiff and sore Michael Clarke looms as another potential key. Unlike India, Australia aren't automatically out if they lose but it will be a hard road back. The teams meet for seven one-dayers in India in October and November but none will matter as much as this game.
Team news
Clarke's stiff back ruled him out of the game against West Indies and Australia will be hoping he can get up for what should be a much tougher contest with India. Should Clarke prove his fitness, Australia must decide who to leave out and it's not an easy decision. Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and James Hopes are the likely contenders to drop out of the side and despite an excellent start to his international career, Ferguson could be the unlucky one as he does not offer a bowling option.
Australia (possible): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Callum Ferguson/Michael Clarke, 6 Cameron White, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Nathan Hauritz, 11 Peter Siddle.
MS Dhoni said he felt three bowlers short at times, such was the ease with which runs were scored in the middle of Pakistan's innings, and India are certain to play five specialist bowlers on Monday. Harbhajan Singh did not bowl well against Pakistan but he is a bogey player for Australia and regularly lifts against them. The other bowling options in India's squad are Praveen Kumar and the legspinner Amit Mishra, who is a strong contender. Praveen could edge in ahead of RP Singh, who took 1 for 59 in nine overs against Pakistan.
India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Yusuf Pathan/Amit Mishra, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 RP Singh/Praveen Kumar, 10, Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashish Nehra.
Watch out for...
He might have retired from Twenty20 internationals but Ricky Ponting remains Australia's most important player in ODI cricket. He was magnificent in compiling 79 against West Indies in difficult conditions and a big Ponting score can be the difference between mediocrity and dominance from Australia. He has made plenty of runs against India, but Harbhajan and Ishant Sharma have caused him problems. As always with Ponting, the key is piercing his defences within his first couple of overs at the crease.
Ishant Sharma was one of the better bowlers against Pakistan with figures of 2 for 39, but he has struggled for consistency. But he has enjoyed success against Australia in the past and has nine ODI wickets at 19.33 against them. Importantly for India, he has a bit of a hold on Ponting, having dismissed him six times in international cricket. The ball angling in to the top of off stump troubles Ponting early and Ishant will be a key man for India for that reason alone. He has also dismissed Clarke six times, so Ishant may be hoping Australia's vice-captain passes his fitness test.
Pitch and conditions
India have the advantage of having just played in Centurion, where the conditions are different to the Wanderers. The surface is much slower and provides more assistance to the spinners. Runs are available if the bowlers fail to adjust and Australia will need to sharpen their efforts after struggling to run through West Indies on a cracking and helpful Johannesburg pitch. There is also a strong chance of showers in the evening, so the teams should bear that in mind at the toss.
Stats and trivia
* Australia and India seem to play each other so often that it's hard to believe they haven't met in an ODI for 18 months, when India wrapped up the CB Series at the Gabba. It's so long ago that Adam Gilchrist was still playing
* India have won four of eight ODIs they've played in Centurion; Australia have won four of seven. Both teams have lost their past two one-dayers there
* Not since 2003 have India won a one-day international in South Africa; in the meantime they've lost six
* The last time these teams met at Centurion, India were walloped by nine wickets, during the 2003 World Cup
Quotes
"We all know we need to play better than we did today against India"
Ricky Ponting after Australia's scrappy win over West Indies
"From now on it's like a knockout tournament for us. If we don't play well we can pack up our bags and go home."
MS Dhoni after India's loss to Pakistan
Match facts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Start time 14.30, 12.30 GMT
Big picture
There are all sorts of scenarios and permutations about which teams could make it through to the semi-finals in Group A but the simplest is this: if Australia beat India, it will be Pakistan and Australia who progress. The group will be done and dusted with two games to go. Things become more complex if India win. They will be in prime position due to their remaining game against a weakened West Indies and Australia's fixture against an unbeaten Pakistan. However, should India and Australia either both win or both lose their last group game, net run-rate will be required to determine the semi-finalists.
It means that there's a lot riding on this day-night encounter and neither team enters the match in peak form. India have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions at Centurion, where they lost to Pakistan on Saturday. Australia are coming off a win but it was a scratchy and in parts unconvincing victory against an under-strength West Indies in the different conditions at the Wanderers. It's hard to predict a winner, though the bookmakers favour Australia.
Australia will be most concerned about breaking India's opening partnership early; Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar have troubled Ricky Ponting's men in the past and Australia's fast bowlers lacked penetration against West Indies. The presence or absence of the stiff and sore Michael Clarke looms as another potential key. Unlike India, Australia aren't automatically out if they lose but it will be a hard road back. The teams meet for seven one-dayers in India in October and November but none will matter as much as this game.
Team news
Clarke's stiff back ruled him out of the game against West Indies and Australia will be hoping he can get up for what should be a much tougher contest with India. Should Clarke prove his fitness, Australia must decide who to leave out and it's not an easy decision. Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and James Hopes are the likely contenders to drop out of the side and despite an excellent start to his international career, Ferguson could be the unlucky one as he does not offer a bowling option.
Australia (possible): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Tim Paine (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Callum Ferguson/Michael Clarke, 6 Cameron White, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Nathan Hauritz, 11 Peter Siddle.
MS Dhoni said he felt three bowlers short at times, such was the ease with which runs were scored in the middle of Pakistan's innings, and India are certain to play five specialist bowlers on Monday. Harbhajan Singh did not bowl well against Pakistan but he is a bogey player for Australia and regularly lifts against them. The other bowling options in India's squad are Praveen Kumar and the legspinner Amit Mishra, who is a strong contender. Praveen could edge in ahead of RP Singh, who took 1 for 59 in nine overs against Pakistan.
India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Yusuf Pathan/Amit Mishra, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 RP Singh/Praveen Kumar, 10, Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashish Nehra.
Watch out for...
He might have retired from Twenty20 internationals but Ricky Ponting remains Australia's most important player in ODI cricket. He was magnificent in compiling 79 against West Indies in difficult conditions and a big Ponting score can be the difference between mediocrity and dominance from Australia. He has made plenty of runs against India, but Harbhajan and Ishant Sharma have caused him problems. As always with Ponting, the key is piercing his defences within his first couple of overs at the crease.
Ishant Sharma was one of the better bowlers against Pakistan with figures of 2 for 39, but he has struggled for consistency. But he has enjoyed success against Australia in the past and has nine ODI wickets at 19.33 against them. Importantly for India, he has a bit of a hold on Ponting, having dismissed him six times in international cricket. The ball angling in to the top of off stump troubles Ponting early and Ishant will be a key man for India for that reason alone. He has also dismissed Clarke six times, so Ishant may be hoping Australia's vice-captain passes his fitness test.
Pitch and conditions
India have the advantage of having just played in Centurion, where the conditions are different to the Wanderers. The surface is much slower and provides more assistance to the spinners. Runs are available if the bowlers fail to adjust and Australia will need to sharpen their efforts after struggling to run through West Indies on a cracking and helpful Johannesburg pitch. There is also a strong chance of showers in the evening, so the teams should bear that in mind at the toss.
Stats and trivia
* Australia and India seem to play each other so often that it's hard to believe they haven't met in an ODI for 18 months, when India wrapped up the CB Series at the Gabba. It's so long ago that Adam Gilchrist was still playing
* India have won four of eight ODIs they've played in Centurion; Australia have won four of seven. Both teams have lost their past two one-dayers there
* Not since 2003 have India won a one-day international in South Africa; in the meantime they've lost six
* The last time these teams met at Centurion, India were walloped by nine wickets, during the 2003 World Cup
Quotes
"We all know we need to play better than we did today against India"
Ricky Ponting after Australia's scrappy win over West Indies
"From now on it's like a knockout tournament for us. If we don't play well we can pack up our bags and go home."
MS Dhoni after India's loss to Pakistan
jaunty
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Yes India did miss three of our best players, but that cannot be an excuse. Its still 11 Vs 11.
On the other hand I personally don't rate Younis khan very highly as a batsman as I rate Md. Yousuf ( No offense, even I don't rate Dhoni as a batsmen, he is massively overrated), but Younis is one of the most admirable characters around in world cricket. Even yesterday, if I am not wrong he walked before the umpire gave the decision. Its just a single incident, but I admire him as he plays the game with right spirit.
Spring Onion
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Hey any prediction can we reach final?
Spring Onion
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Righteous_Fire
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I have always believed that, Yousaf was critical for a stable innings, like Dravid used to be for India, and can anyone doubt his International rankings??
Prediction Jana Jee!
We will definitely be there and win it! 
Inshallah! (by the way this is the Pakistani Inshallah version not the Arab one like Egyptians, who always say these with fingers crossed)
oye captain where are you man. The forum is getting orphan
I am here.. invisible.
Tum sunaoo.. South Africa nahi jarahin.. jhande lekar ground mein ghus jana.
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I am here.. invisible.
Tum sunaoo.. South Africa nahi jarahin.. jhande lekar ground mein ghus jana.
nahi filhal tau Japan jaa rahi hoon. wahan pe baith ka jhanda dekhoon gee.BTW ghus tau jaon agar apnay parosi maidan main hoay tau
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India face stiff Aussie test in vital match
AFP
CENTURION: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking forward to an improved performance from his team in a crucial match against formidable
Australia in the Champions Trophy on Monday.
India started their campaign on an unimpressive note, putting in below-par bowling and batting displays to lose their opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan by 54 runs on Saturday.
Pakistan are in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals from the four-team Group A, having won their matches against India and the West Indies. Australia have won their first match, while the West Indies are winless.
The top two sides advance to the last-four.
India looked a couple of quality bowlers short against Pakistan, who gained a big advantage after posting 302 in the day-night match on a good batting pitch. Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra alone impressed, finishing with 4/55.
"We didn't bowl well. I tried whatever we had, but the captain can't really go and bowl. At the end of the day, the bowlers have to go and bowl," said the Indian skipper.
"It's all about adapting to conditions. We should have adapted to the conditions. We could have done a lot better. Frankly speaking, I thought I was short of three bowlers. I didn't know who to turn to."
The Indian bowlers cannot afford to have another off-day as defending champions Australia have a strong batting line-up.
Australia's depth in batting was on view in their opening match against the West Indies on a difficult track in Johannesburg on Saturday, where they managed to reach 275/8 after being 171/7 at one stage.
Skipper Ricky Ponting top-scored with an impressive 79, but it was lower-order batsman Mitchell Johnson who boosted the total with a rapidfire 73 not out.
"It was particularly hard work early on. It was a difficult wicket, so to get that sort of total was good going," Ponting said after the match.
"The batsmen did a pretty good job and Johnson finished things off pretty well for us and those runs proved vital in the game."
The pitch at Centurion is expected to favour batsmen more than fast bowlers as Pakistan showed against India on Saturday, with Shoaib Malik scoring a brisk century and Mohammad Yousuf making an 88-ball 87.
Australia are likely to field the same side that beat the West Indies by 50 runs, with batsman Michael Clarke still doubtful due to a back pain.
India, already without key batsman Yuvraj Singh due to a finger injury, will also need to bat better against Australia having excellent fast bowlers in Brett Lee and Johnson.
Teams (from):
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Rudra Pratap Singh, Amit Mishra, Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Nayar, Virat Kohli.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (Capt.), Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
AFP
CENTURION: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking forward to an improved performance from his team in a crucial match against formidable
Australia in the Champions Trophy on Monday.
India started their campaign on an unimpressive note, putting in below-par bowling and batting displays to lose their opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan by 54 runs on Saturday.
Pakistan are in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals from the four-team Group A, having won their matches against India and the West Indies. Australia have won their first match, while the West Indies are winless.
The top two sides advance to the last-four.
India looked a couple of quality bowlers short against Pakistan, who gained a big advantage after posting 302 in the day-night match on a good batting pitch. Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra alone impressed, finishing with 4/55.
"We didn't bowl well. I tried whatever we had, but the captain can't really go and bowl. At the end of the day, the bowlers have to go and bowl," said the Indian skipper.
"It's all about adapting to conditions. We should have adapted to the conditions. We could have done a lot better. Frankly speaking, I thought I was short of three bowlers. I didn't know who to turn to."
The Indian bowlers cannot afford to have another off-day as defending champions Australia have a strong batting line-up.
Australia's depth in batting was on view in their opening match against the West Indies on a difficult track in Johannesburg on Saturday, where they managed to reach 275/8 after being 171/7 at one stage.
Skipper Ricky Ponting top-scored with an impressive 79, but it was lower-order batsman Mitchell Johnson who boosted the total with a rapidfire 73 not out.
"It was particularly hard work early on. It was a difficult wicket, so to get that sort of total was good going," Ponting said after the match.
"The batsmen did a pretty good job and Johnson finished things off pretty well for us and those runs proved vital in the game."
The pitch at Centurion is expected to favour batsmen more than fast bowlers as Pakistan showed against India on Saturday, with Shoaib Malik scoring a brisk century and Mohammad Yousuf making an 88-ball 87.
Australia are likely to field the same side that beat the West Indies by 50 runs, with batsman Michael Clarke still doubtful due to a back pain.
India, already without key batsman Yuvraj Singh due to a finger injury, will also need to bat better against Australia having excellent fast bowlers in Brett Lee and Johnson.
Teams (from):
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Rudra Pratap Singh, Amit Mishra, Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Nayar, Virat Kohli.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (Capt.), Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
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