And some Australians’ necks on the block

Australia — yet again — were stunned by the fearlessness of an undermanned Indian team who continue to do their nation proud.

At times their radar became scrambled and Fox Cricket said in one 10-over period the bowlers delivered just one ball which would have hit the stumps.

Star Wars fans may have turned up at the Gabba over the weekend but out in the middle The Force was missing.

The mojo. The aura. Call it what you will but the invisible force of personality that has been a weapon for Australian cricket for generations has somehow vanished this series.

Old heads like Matthew Hayden noticed it and called it out in the commentary box.

The big talk among Indian cricket writers is that this is a most un-Australian Aussie side.

Opposition teams are used to facing bowlers whose best work is preceded down the wicket by waves of hostility.

Yet that invisible force has been missing. India at home occasionally feels the pressure of massive expectations. Yet when abroad less is expected of them and they play as if their top button has been undone.

India has any number of remarkable stories, including Sunday’s half century-maker Washington Sundar who was playing his first first-class match in over three years.

Life isn’t supposed to work like this. His calm assurance at the batting crease made this look like his 50th Test not his first.As Fox Sports Harsha Bhogle pointed out, many players in this Indian team are not from traditional nurseries.

Many have come from unfashionable areas outside big cities and had to ensure long, bumpy rides to the big time.

They are tough, unpretentious and fearless.

No one has to tell that to this Australian cricket side.