The boxing day test match has always been the traditional start of the cricket season in Australia. This time around, the match could involve four tearing fast bowlers throwing everything at the solid, yet attacking Indian batsman, in a test that will definitely set the trend for the remainder of the series.

The excitement of watching Lee, Johnson, Clark and Tait bowling with whatever bounce and speed is available at the Melbourne track, against a batting lineup that could include any/all of Sehwag, Yuvraj, Jaffer, Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dhoni is almost too much to bear.

However, the fact is that it is up to India's batsmen to make this an exciting series, and up to their spinners to show that variety is of importance at the highest level. By the end of the 2nd day's play on the 27th of December, the world will know whether the Indian team has brought the hunger to back up their skill, in what might be the final series down under for the backbone of their batting line-up. It will also be a chance for Kumble, the bowler, and Kumble, the captain, to add a feather to his personal cap, and to that of Team India.