Dravid eyes series win

Rahul Dravid is keen for India to continue a winning streak at the Kotla © Getty Images

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Rahul Dravid is hoping India complete a series victory at the Feroz Shah Kotla when they take on Australia in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

An all-round team effort helped India to a convincing 320-run win over Australia in the second Test at Mohali, putting the hosts 1-0 up in the four-Test series after the opener ended in a draw in Bangalore.

And the Feroz Shah Kotla is a happy hunting ground for India, with the hosts having won their last seven Tests at the venue.

“It’s a great venue for us,” Dravid said. “I haven’t played in a Test that we have lost here, so it’s always nice to return here. Hopefully we will wrap it up here and make it eight in a row.”

Dravid, however, warned his team-mates to expect a backlash from Ricky Ponting’s men.

“We definitely outplayed them in all departments of the game (in Mohali),” he said. “They have not seen many failures and would be keen to come back. They will be hurting and will want to prove a point here.”

India’s regular captain Anil Kumble watched Mahendra Singh Dhoni marshal his men from the confines of the dressing room, with a rotator cuff injury keeping him out of the game.

But India coach Gary Kirsten indicated that Kumble could return on Wednesday.

“If Kumble is fit, he’ll play the next match in place of Mishra,” Kirsten said. “He is looking good and we are happy with the way things have progressed.”

Anil Kumble took 10 wickets in an innings at the venue in a Test in 1999 © Getty Images

Kumble has a formidable record at the venue. It was here that he etched his name in cricketing history by becoming only the second player to claim all 10 wickets in an innings.

A toe injury to Harbhajan Singh could still mean Amit Mishra retains his place, although Kirsten said the final selection of the team would be made after an assessment of the off-spinner’s injury.

“We are not sure about Harbhajan,” Kirsten said. “He picked up the injury towards the end of the last game.

“It could be a case of overuse. We will have to wait and see how he goes. We will assess his condition again tomorrow.”

Australia, rattled by the loss in Mohali, have brought in legendary Indian spinner Bishen Singh Bedi and former skipper Steve Waugh to help with preparations.

Bedi and Waugh oversaw practice sessions, with the bowlers coming in for more scrutiny than usual.

“All their bowlers played such a big part in that victory,” all-rounder Shane Watson said of India’s performance at Mohali.

“Zaheer Khan is extremely skilful with the old and new ball. He’s always finding ways to get wickets.

“Harbhajan is bowling extremely well although he hasn’t got as many wickets as the others. He just doesn’t give up and gives you very little. All their bowlers played such a big part in that victory and they bowled as a group - a formidable group.

“That’s something we need to do as a bowling group as well.”

Matthew Hayden was one of Zaheer Khan's many victims in India's victory in the second Test in Mohali

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Australia opener Matthew Hayden admitted the tourists are under pressure, but insisted spirits in the camp were still high.

“I think we are extremely confident, we’ve had good preparation and are optimistic about the competition that's ahead of us,” he said.

“India played very well in the last game but Australia played well in the first game and didn’t get the result, so we’re down in the series but that’s where we like to be as Australians.

“We’re really concentrating on this game, it’s a big one in the series and a game which Australia can fight back on.”

They will be boosted by the news that paceman Stuart Clark looks certain to return after he pulled out of the second Test due to a right elbow injury.

"Stuart has bowled for each of the last three days,” Australia team physio Alex Kountouris said. “He's feeling good and at this stage will be available for selection.”

Meanwhile, vice-captain Michael Clarke revealed that captain Ricky Ponting wants his senior players to be more accountable with two Test matches left in the tour.

"One thing Ricky certainly spoke to us about is that a little more responsibility needs to go on the senior players, I know when I made my debut here it's hard enough coming to India for the first time, let alone playing your first couple of Test matches," he said.

"So it's important the expectation gets put on captain, vice-captain, senior players - Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mike Hussey. It is up to us to really stand up with bat or ball."