India has never won a Test at the ’Gabba. The last time the Australians lost a Test here was against the West Indies 26 years ago. And none from this Indian team has figured in a Test at this venue.
In the last Test played here, in November 2013, Australia crushed England by 381 runs with Mitchell Johnson scalping nine in the match.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not seem daunted by these facts.
He said, “If you see, we have won on some of the fastest wickets over the last few years. We have won at Johannesburg, Perth, and Durban. Actually, we like some grass on the pitch. It helps our pacemen. There have been instances, on flatter pitches, where we have struggled to get 20 wickets.”
In the same breath, Dhoni said his team would have to put runs on the board.
Asked about the surface here, the Indian captain said, “There will be something extra for the bowlers, fast bowlers. The pitch will be hard, there will be bounce.”
On R. Ashwin being included in the Test, Dhoni said, “Ashwin is someone who can exploit Johnson’s footmarks. Even if there is not much spin for him he could make use of the bounce. He is also someone who could add depth to the batting. In the last match, our 8, 9, 10 and 11 contributed very little.”
Probed about Rohit Sharma’s place in the side, Dhoni observed, “There was criticism that he was not making use of the opportunities he was given even in one-day cricket. He finally came good.” The Indian captain added Rohit could do the same in Test cricket.
Asked about the five-bowler theory, Dhoni said, “It would be tough on Rohit, he’s played only one match. We will have to talk about that.”
On India’s problems against off-spinners, Dhoni said, “It’s hard to say what the reason is. But you have to be positive against them. Otherwise, they will get you.”
Dhoni felt Australia will miss its injured skipper Michael Clarke. “Steve Smith plays the normal Aussie way, big shots. But Michael’s (Clarke’s) absence will help us.”
He was appreciative of Kohli’s captaincy and India’s approach on the final day of the first Test. “I thought he (Kohli) led very well. He was attacking but not overly so. I think our approach on the final day was right. We went for the kill after the declaration. Our bowlers had failed to bowl Australia out in either innings.”
The Indian captain said the break had helped him recover from the thumb injury he sustained in England.
