Mumbai talk big after Sachin session

‘‘Sachin has provided us with the encouragement and also told the boys how to cope with the pressure. It’s a morale-booster,’ said Vinod Kambli, the seniormost member of the side.

Back in the side, Ajit Agarkar sees the tie as a big contest. ‘‘It’s a big game and we have done well in such matches in the past. In fact what we are missing is Steve Waugh in the opposition.’’

Big talk, but while the players exuded confidence, coach Chandrakant Pandit chose to keep the cards close to his chest. ‘‘We are not going to be overawed and will take things from session to session. The boys are upbeat and we will come up with surprises as the game goes on,” he said.

One of the surprises could be playing three spinners in offie Ramesh Powar, leggie Sairaj Bahutule and left-armer Nilesh Kulkarni. Agarkar and Avishkar Salvi will share the new ball.

The Aussies gave no indication of whether Warne would be a certainty or batsman Brad Hodge will get a chance.

‘‘We have a few options. We also haven’t decided whether captain Adam Gilchrist will bat at No 3. Warne would be a part of our solution to try and find a balanced side. But we will have the best attack to complement him,” coach John Buchanan said.