Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh still sulks recalling how the then Indian captain Sourav Ganguly had made him wait at the toss during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2001.

Animations and emotional overflows are chief protagonists of every India-Australia series and their ongoing gig isn’t different. But after many years, India found a skipper who did an internship under MS Dhoni and borrowed the attitude of Ganguly. He also backs youngsters, much like his senior, who stuck to players like Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh throughout his tenure.

“We did whatever we could in one innings, we didn’t bat for the second time. Australia had to bat twice and play well to save the match,” said Kohli after the third rubber in Ranchi. His tone brought memories of the haughty Prince of Kolkata making his ministers run errands.

A result in the fourth and final Test is likely to initiate a new rivalry between Kohli and Australian skipper Steve Smith. On a flight to the picturesque Dharamsala, the Indian team learnt temperament and the strength to fight back when wounded. Even if it is a draw, the trophy (according to norms) will go the visitors. The Indians will have to wait to make it square.

Caricaturing, verbal duels and shrewd tactics have already appeared in the script. On top of that, Kohli revealed that the Australians were trying to make light of his shoulder injury and the efficiency of Patrick Farhat (India physio) in the last Test.

“When I came to bat, four or five people started taking Patrick’s name. I don’t know why, the physio’s job is to treat me,” fumed Kohli. But Smith rubbished such claims and rather praised Farhat for bringing Kohli back on to the field after his injury. At times, their child-like innocence and impulse is an entertainment for the onlookers. But there have been enough takeaways from the Ranchi rumble — India’s deep batting line-up (Ravindra Jadeja batting at No 8 and scoring an unbeaten 54) and the passion to fight for a result.

“We didn’t expect a 150-run lead when were at 320 for the loss of six wickets. The credit must go to Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha who batted really well to create a winning chance. These guys want to push the barrier and test their limits,” he added.

Pujara not only slammed his third double ton (202), he ended up playing the longest innings ever by an Indian cricketer in whites. The right-hander faced 525 deliveries and stuck to the crease for 672 minutes.

On the other hand, Saha seems to have fit into the role of MS Dhoni perfectly. “He is ready to bat in any position. He doesn’t mind coming ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin or after. This is the best I have watched him bat. He did it in West Indies, he did it in Kolkata as well, and here under pressure, he really stood up. You feel happy for him because he is such a wonderful guy,” stated Kohli.

But spare a thought for the magician Jadeja. In the last few months, he came up through the ranks to match up to Ashwin. In fact, he is the best bowler in the ICC rankings now. In three Tests, he pocketed 21 wickets and bowled at an unimaginable economy rate (1.23 in the last innings). Though the curators are harping on a bouncy wicket in Dharamsala, the onus is on Jadeja to make a difference between the teams.

There will be more sledging, name-calling but here, the hills could distract the players. The final bell will ring on March 25, Saturday.

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