Australia's defensive approach

Almost every player to have performed well for India this series has come out and taunted Australia's defensive approach. VVS Laxman, after having scored a quick double-century to set the game nicely for India, followed the trend. But Laxman's words like his batting, were subtle yet more hard-hitting. "The total approach has been defensive right from the start of the series," Laxman said. "You see the captain, saying that they are the underdogs for the series, that puts them in a defensive mode.

"Whereas our captain Anil [Kumble], despite the criticism he's been facing, he's very, very positive in the way he's talking about his team. And Ricky [Ponting] is talking about the Indian team rather than his own team. They're very defensive in the way they're approaching their cricket."