It is not often that Australia goes into the third Test of a series 0-1 down, doing the catching up business and trying to save the series.
But a rather vapid effort so far and dual failure -- both with the bat and ball -- has ensured Ricky Ponting's men play the catching game this time around with India sitting pretty in the driver's seat.
And the fact that the venue for the third Test is the Ferozshah Kotla, in what happens to be the 30th Test at the ground, makes things easier for India and tougher for the visitors, at least on paper.
Here's some statistical analysis to corroborate what was just said.
In 29 Tests played so far, the hosts won 10 and lost just six. More importantly, India won the last seven Tests played at the venue -- the most successive wins for India at any venue -- and last lost a Test at the Kotla 21 years ago, in 1987 to the West Indies.
Besides, if one considers the head-to-head record between the teams at the Kotla, one finds Australia on the backfoot yet again. They lost twice in five Tests and their lone win came almost fifty years back, way back in 1959, when Richie Benaud's men thrashed an Indian team, led by G S Ramchand, by an innings and 127 runs.
Add to it the placid nature of the wicket, and you are already celebrating yet another Indian victory.
That is exactly what captain Anil Kumble would like it to be, going into the fourth and final Test sans any tension.
"We like to ensure that we get a victory here and the series is decided. That is going to be our approach, that we win and then head to Nagpur minus any pressure," admitted Kumble on Tuesday.
"We have focused on our preparation leading into this Test and want a good result here."
The captain also played down the fact that the toss is going to play a crucial role, as it did it the two previous matches.
"Toss is a big factor in India, but in Kotla it hardly matters," said Kumble, before shifting focus to a pertinent factor.
"It looks a good batting surface. At the end of the day it is important for us to put runs on the board and then put pressure on them," he said. "And then get 20 wickets; we have the combination to do that and we like to ensure that we do that."
Kumble's Australian counterpart, Ricky Ponting, agreed about the nature of the wicket albeit with reservations.
"It definitely looks like a pretty good batting strip, and very dry," he said. "The first couple of days should be good for batting and then it will probably start helping the spinners. But I am not sure if the wicket is up to the mark preparation-wise."
As regards the team combination, Harbhajan Singh looks likely to miss out (with a toe injury) ensuring Amit Mishra retains his place. Kumble is back for sure.
Australia, meanwhile, have excluded Peter Siddle from their 12-man party and brought back the more experienced Stuart Clark. And considering the nature of the wicket, might give rookie spinner Jason Krezja his maiden Test cap.
Finally, one for the trivia buffs. The third Test starting on Wednesday will commemorate 60 years of Test cricket at the Kotla. The first Test at this venue, between India and the West Indies, was played in 1948.
