Sydney, January 1:

Virender Sehwag could be recalled to give India some aggression at the top of the batting order in Wednesday’s second Test in Sydney, where the tourists are under pressure to prevent Australia equalling their record winning streak.

The Indian batting lineup failed in Melbourne, bowled out for 196 and 161, with trouble starting at the top with incredibly slow starts from Rahul Dravid. India captain Anil Kumble said Sehwag was being considered for an opening spot to reinvigorate the top order, while Dravid was rated a “50-50” chance of opening or dropping back to No 3. Sehwag “brings a positivity to our batting,” Kumble said. “Before his loss of form, he was a very important part of our team. He’s looked good in the nets... he’s in the scheme of things.”

Australia, aiming for a 16th consecutive win to equal the mark they set between October 1999 and February 2001, will take an unchanged lineup into the second Test. That previous record streak ended in a loss to India in 2001 at Kolkata, where India produced a stunning comeback, winning after being forced to follow-on, in a result that turned the series.