For one member of the visiting Australian team, the second Test beginning here on Friday will be more of a home game. Pace spearhead Brett Lee, whose maiden Test appearance on Indian soil fetched him only two wickets, is banking on his IPL experience with Kings XI Punjab to come good at Mohali.
"Sat Sri Akal," Lee greets a group of journalists as he heads for an early practice session at the PCA Stadium. "It's going to be a home game for me and I feel great to come back here," he says before joining the team mates. Lee measures his run-up, a little shorter than usual, but doesn't hold himself back as he hurls the cherry at a trademark express pace. After a long session, Lee, albeit tired, is sporting looks of satisfaction.
"It is only in practice that I bowl from a shorter run-up," says Lee, heading towards the conference room to address the media, and adds what may not be good news for Indian batsmen: "I am happy with the way I am bowling and I am keen to go over 150 kph mark."
However, the fast bowler admits he is still learning how to bowl in Indian conditions and knows he will have to raise his performance several notches higher. "Personally I feel I am still on a learning curve on how to bowl in India. I will be playing only my second Test match in India and I guess it is a tough job.
"Last time, when I toured India with the Test team, I was the twelfth man and this time I am leading the attack; there's a lot of pressure," says Lee, but pins his hope on his previous experience of playing on the PCA track. "I've already played here (in the IPL). It's a great place and hopefully the wicket will have enough carry, especially because this is traditionally a bouncy track. The Bangalore track was slow and the ball stayed low. There was some rain last night and, hopefully, there will be enough bounce for the pacers."
- NITIN SHARMA