By IANS
Sydney : Interim India coach Lalchand Rajput said Sunday that the batsmen could consider a session with a sports psychologist as Australia’s fast bowlers Sunday vowed to keep the heat on their frazzled opponents.
The tourists last night conceded Australia was “one-nil up in the mind games” but have vowed to come back strong in Wednesday’s second Test at the SCG.
Rajput said a session with a shrink may not be possible before the Sydney Test as there was little time.
New India coach Gary Kirsten is expected to arrive in time for the third Test in Perth, and the former South African opener has already told the Indian cricket board he wants a psychologist.
The team spent time with Australian sports psychologist Sandy Gordon during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
“The players have had this before and it was good,” Rajput said.
The tourists had an off day Sunday.
A win in Sydney would allow Australia to equal its world record of 16 straight Test wins, and ensure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is retained in the four-Test series.
India’s superstar batsmen have endured stinging criticism for their MCG meltdown and changes are expected for this week’s Test.
Makeshift opener Rahul Dravid is in the worst form slump of his career, and could drop down to his usual No. 3 spot or to the middle order.
Thrasher Virender Sehwag could return to the top of the order, and enigmatic Yuvraj Singh may be axed.
“It is nothing new that the Australians are one-up in the mind games,” Rajput said.
“This is a one-off Test which we have lost, but I think we will be coming back very strongly.
“There are two strategies in cricket. One is to be defensive, one is to be offensive.
“In the first Test, we were a bit defensive but definitely we will come back very strong.
“We also are having some strategy which I can’t let you know about now.”
Left-armer Mitchell Johnson, who came of age as a Test bowler with 3 for 21 in the second innings at the MCG, said there would be even more pressure on the tourists at the SCG.