It was a press conference with a difference. Virender Sehwag didn't quite have to contend with verbal bouncers from journalists; his biggest test came in trying to maintain his composure in the face of an unseemly din raised by his own team-mates.
A little after India's players trooped to the nets, it started raining, driving them indoors when the press conference was already under way. The behaviour of the side, in complete disregard of the fact that Sehwag -- officially representing the team -- was airing his views, was shocking. There were whistles, constant talk and, despite requests, the repeated thudding of balls into insulating sheets at the nets as suddenly, everyone wanted to have a bowl, completely throwing the press conference off track. If this is the future of Indian cricket, it can't be said with any great certainty that it is in mature hands.
Like he had done during the Adelaide Test, Sehwag again dared the Aussies. "The Australians know India is the only team which can beat them, so we are preparing hard to do that," the one-time skipper said. "If we beat Australia tomorrow, we are through to the finals." Not by a long way, Viru, but point taken. "India is the only team to have done well in Australia. We won a Test match the last time we toured Australia and now on this tour too. They are probably worried and scared that this team could beat them, that's why the Australians say this is a big game for them.
"Australia are the World champions and can beat anyone anywhere. We have to play 100 overs of hard cricket to beat them.”
Lee-Tendulkar battle
The Sachin Tendulkar-Brett Lee battles have been one of the high points of the Australian summer, both men having their moments. Australian battering ram Lee, understandably, is looking forward to another duel with the Indian on Sunday.
"It's always great to play against Sachin Tendulkar," Lee said. “As a player, if you want to find out where you are and what your standards are, you always put yourselves up against the best. In my opinion, Sachin is the best batsman going around in world cricket. I say that because I don't have to bowl against Ricky Ponting or Adam Gilchrirst." Lee had comforting words for India's young batsmen too. "It is always going to be tough for the younger guys coming through when they are filling roles left behind by likes of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. For the new guys to come in and find their feet quickly, plus a few wash-outs -- it's always hard to find the momentum.”
