Australia batsman Ricky Ponting's Test career is on the line in the Boxing Day Test against India and his nemesis Ishant Sharma is ready to land the killer blow.
The tall quick is expected to be named in India's side on Monday morning after training well despite an ankle problem.
Skipper MS Dhoni says paceman Zaheer Khan is also likely to play after recovering from ankle surgery.
"They are shaping up really well," Dhoni said. "They're fit as of now so that's a big relief."
The 37-year-old Ponting has averaged under 35 in six of his past seven series.
All-rounder Shane Watson's return from injury later in the four-Test series will increase the pressure on 158-Test veteran Ponting to hold his spot.
Sharma has dismissed Ponting six times in eight Tests and the former Australia captain is having a poor run lately as he struggles to overcome a weakness for falling across his front pad.
Ponting's career achievements place him among the all-time greats. Monday's first Test match will be one for the history buffs with the top three scorers in Test cricket all on show - Ponting and India's Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
While veterans Ponting and Michael Hussey have been given a reprieve for the moment, India has less concerns despite an ageing batting line-up including Tendulkar, 38, Dravid, 38, and VVS Laxman, 37.
"I don't see a single area where we need to be really worried," Dhoni said.
"We are looking really good."
Bookmakers have put Australia narrowly ahead of India in the betting as India seeks its first Test-series win in Australia.
Dhoni's men are not only seeking to make history with a series win but Tendulkar is attempting to become the first player to score 100 centuries in Tests and one-day internationals, with one of the game's most famous venues providing a fitting stage.
"Boxing Day of course it's one of the most talked-about Test matches and it's part of the history when it comes to the Aussie cricket," Dhoni said.
"It feels very special to come over here to this place. If you see Australia ... you can feel sport is one of their main cultures so it feels good to be here.
"They are a side that play tough when it comes to sport or in life so it's good to compete against them."
Dhoni laughed off concerns over how his batsmen would adjust to the bouncier Australian pitches compared to the subcontinent.
"If you see the batting lineup that we've got, it's not the first time that they will be touring Australia and it's not the first time they will be playing at the venue," he said.
AAP
Tags: cricket, melbourne-3000, australia, india First posted December 25, 2011 19:23:05