India have vowed to continue their bumper barrage on Brad Haddin, convinced the wicketkeeper has a vulnerability against short-pitched bowling despite playing a key role in swinging the third Test in Australia's favour.
The Indians believe Haddin remains vulnerable to the bouncer after watching him fend meekly in the second innings in Brisbane but the tactic bore no fruit on Saturday.
There was no subtlety at all in India's tactics to Haddin, whose 55 was every bit as valuable as his string of game-changing innings during last summer's Ashes whitewash.
Despite having a ball that at 10 overs old would have provided enough movement in the air and off the deck if pitched up, India were hellbent on bouncing him out again.
But, with two men stationed in the deep for the hook and pull shot, India had taken away the element of surprise with the short ball.
Knowing what was coming, Haddin played the cross-bat shots with confidence and startling effect, particularly against Mohammed Shami.
So predictable was India with their short stuff, Haddin had enough time to club them well in front of square. He should prepare for more short-pitched assaults after the Indians declared they would continue with their strategy.
"Did he seem comfortable with it? If you say so," Ravi Ashwin said tersely when asked why India thought they could bounce Haddin out.
"We really thought he had a genuine weakness over there and we continue to think he has a weakness over there.
"We continue to target him in the next Test match, the next innings as well. He doesn't quite look comfortable, so that's the idea with that."
Haddin had been one of few people in Australia not worried about his form with the bat, and the reason for his self-assuredness has become apparent.
He turned what was perceived as a weakness into a weapon, hooking, pulling and swatting India's bowlers with ease. If anything, India bowled Haddin back into form.
He did not peel off the century that would have made him a certainty for the Ashes mid-year, though one more handy contribution with the bat in Melbourne or Sydney would all but guarantee him a seat on the plane to Heathrow.
Although Haddin's innings was overshadowed by another outstanding contribution from Steve Smith and some lusty blows from Ryan Harris, he played a key role in placing Australia in a powerful position.
When Haddin strode to the crease late on Boxing Day, Australia were under pressure from a confident Indian team who had claimed wickets with an ageing ball.
The 37-year-old had entered the Test with 92 runs in his past seven Tests at an average of 8.36, and, as runs are now a vital part of a keeper's job, time was running out for him.
Haddin, however, has said throughout his lean run that he knew his fortunes would turn as he was putting in the hard work. It was not bluff and bluster.
That his glovework remained crisp was also encouraging as it showed his eye and reflexes were still sharp.
When Haddin departed an hour into the second day, Australia had not merely reclaimed the ascendancy, they had aggressively snatched it.
And Haddin had been at the forefront of the momentum swing with a counter-attack that would have pleased his predecessor Adam Gilchrist.
More intent on survival than scoring than the previous day, Haddin took the shine off the second new ball with a string of meaty blows.
He heaved 20 from the fourth and fifth overs of the second morning to reach his first half-century in almost 12 months.
"He played really well. Brad bats best when he comes out and tries to take on the opposition, he did that today. He came out and was very positive from ball one," Smith said.
"I thought he played the short ball really well. He got underneath a few and played a few pull shots."
The full value of Haddin's innings was shown by the tail that, for the second Test in a row, frustrated India with their cheeky strokeplay.
After seeing Smith to his century, Haddin briefly lost his concentration, and it cost him his wicket.
Although he has been criticised for the cavalier nature of his dismissals, his departure this time was both anti-climactic and unexpected.
Attempting to leave a good length delivery outside off stump from Shami, Haddin managed an under-edge to Dhoni.
