India are stronger this time

"India have no reason to be afraid," writes Peter Roebuck in the Hindu.

The Indians will have noticed that Sri Lanka’s only top-class batsmen scored hundreds in their recent series and will feel that the deed can be done. Last time around India conquered fear in the first Test. Melbourne awaits a similar display of fortitude. If India arises on Boxing Day then anything is possible.

Rain ruined India's only warm-up game against Victoria ahead of the first Test and Anil Kumble wrote in the Hindu that "in an ideal situation, we [India] should have had two lead-up games".

In fact, the whole purpose of my missing out on this game was to have a good look at the fast bowlers. I have not seen Pankaj Singh in the middle before and also wanted to have a look at the young Ishant, RP Singh, who is returning from an injury, and Irfan Pathan, who is making a comeback. Now I can’t do that.