The game at the WACA promises to have an extra needle about it for the simple reason of the happenings of the past few days. Talking about leaving the past behind and moving ahead with the game is all nice, but to imagine that none of the players would be carrying a chip on their shoulders over something or the other is being too simplistic.

The pace and bounce at the WACA is a factor that is going to make this contest more spicy; quite simply, Australia have the weaponry required to break a few Indian bones while the Indian pace battery at best is competitive. However, pace and bounce doesn't mean wickets, and if the Indians can keep their bones intact, and the bowlers can find the edges even if they cannot find the helmets of the Australians, India might be in with a chance.

With only Sachin Tendulkar having played at the WACA before, and widely considered to have hit one of the finest centuries at this ground, the Indians would be going in blind, and it is important they go in throwing their punches. India has never been good at defense, and at the WACA, where there would be danger to life and limb, India's best bet would be to go in quick, get some in double quick time and get out in one piece. Australia's pace attack, while on the faster side, is still inexperienced and for them to get the length that will make things awkward for the Indians will take time irrespective of what their young turks might like to believe (here and here); time that has to be utilized by the Indians to get in those valuable runs on the board.

In that sense, the forced inclusion of Virender Sehwag might prove a blessing for the Indians. Here, more than anywhere else, they need a slasher and if Sehwag can keep the ball out of deep third man's hands, he will do well, and in the process enable India to get some score on the board in quick time. In my book, he makes his Australian tour entry two tests too late, but then better late than never! Sehwag might score a duck, but he will not surrender meekly and India needs someone who has the capability to take the attack to the Australians, even if the attempt were to fail.

I can't see anywhere a report about India having announced their twelve for the match, but all reports seem to suggest that Jaffer will open alongside Sehwag with Dravid back at the number three position. Regarding Dravid, while he might be glad to go back to the middle order, I would hesitate to bring him in at three, where Laxman has been batting very nicely indeed. Even tactically, while I can see the merits of Dravid at number three in case of a fall of an early wicket, to keep the magic of Laxman where it can do maximum damage has to be considered. Dravid is probably India's best weapon against pace but that is a Dravid in form, and the current Dravid despite his good knock in the tour game, is still not what he is when 100% in form. Keeping him further down the order would give him more breathing room, while giving the man in form, VVS, the freedom to do what he has been doing so far.

Tendulkar at four on this tour has been worthy of praise, and I can only hope that he continues with his changed attitude to batting. Ganguly despite looking solid on this tour is still a shaky bet in my book, especially where the ball will be whizzing past his nose. However, all said and done, he is a shoo-in to walk in at five.

Six in my book would be Dravid, and seven is a toss up between Dhoni and Karthick who staked claim with a 90 odd in the tour game. While Karthick is technically more accomplished, Dhoni might slash his way to a useful score, and it is really a nothing-to-choose between the two; in my book Karthick would come in but I expect Dhoni to be selected tomorrow.

The bowling attack has no great choices where the bowlers most likely will be RP, Pathan, Sharma and Kumble. VRV would have closely looked at his ability to bowl fast, even if it was wayward and it is a pity that he didn't get a couple of wickets in the tour game. It would have been nice to have a bowler who could give back some of what we will obviously receive in the third test.

While the match odds are overwhelmingly in favor of Australia, what I would be looking for is spine from the Indian batting. If at the end of the test, the Indian batsmen can look the fans in the eye and say "hey, we took it on like men", it will be all I could have asked for!

On a closing note, check out this column on someone who has made it an art in running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. So obvious, but still what is anyone going to do about it?