Harbhajan Singh celebrates one of his three wickets at the MCG on Friday

Melbourne: Most here are convinced that the opening 3mobile Test will finish on Saturday itself, with Australia posting yet another win.

Given Team India’s appalling batting in the first innings, it’s difficult arguing with that view. However, as Harbhajan Singh put it, “anything is possible” with the line-up we’ve got.

In reality, for all his bravado, only the most courageous (or reckless) will bet on anything other than an Australian victory.

It’s not that the Indians have thrown in the towel, though.

Makeshift opener Rahul Dravid’s body language, for example, was pleasingly different and he chose to face the first ball (from Brett Lee) instead of specialist Wasim Jaffer.

Ricky Ponting’s declaration at 351 for seven set India a never-before-achieved target of 499. The openers, however, played out eight overs to deny the Australians their last objective of the day — wickets before the close on Friday.

“The boys are determined... The mood in the dressing room is to fight... We’ve got to take it session by session, let’s see how it goes,” manager (and former India opener) Chetan Chauhan told The Telegraph.

Michael Clarke, who top scored with 73 (opener Phil Jaques, by the way, got his second fifty of the Test), agreed that the Indians had a “very strong batting line-up,” but added scoring would be difficult once the ball became “soft.”

Also, reverse swing could be a real big factor.

According to Clarke, the key for both teams will be “patience.” He was quite patient himself and explained he’d been more determined. “I got out early in the first innings, but was intent on a big score the second time around...”

Clarke talked about patience but, more than anything else, it’s a test of character for Anil Kumble and Co.

They’ve often spoken about challenges and being up for them. The biggest has arrived within three days of this four-Test series.

So, it’s time to go beyond the mere rhetorical.

Ponting went cheaply, to newest 250 Club entrant Harbhajan once again, but every other batsman made a contribution on a slow wicket with dual bounce.

The Indian bowlers, in fact, made little impact and it didn’t help that spearhead Zaheer Khan sent down 12 no-balls.

For the record, we’ve got a specialist bowling coach — Venkatesh Prasad, a one-time medium-pacer.

We’ve also got a specialist fielding coach (Robin Singh), but the effort on the ground was pretty inadequate. And that’s not being harsh.

“You just can’t field like this if you’re wanting to compete with Australia,” pointed out former captain Bill Lawry.

To compete, mind you, quality fielding isn’t the only requirement.

Reality check

Highest successful chase in Test history: 418/7 by West Indies vs Australia, St John’s 2002-03

Highest winning score in fourth innings in Australia: 369/6 by Australia vs Pakistan, Hobart 1999-2000

Highest successful chase at the MCG: 332/7 by England vs Australia, 1928-29

Highest fourth innings total by India: 445 vs Australia, Adelaide 1977-78 — Lost by 47 runs

Highest successful chase by India: 406/4 vs West Indies, Port of Spain 1975-76 — Won by 6 wickets