Haddin takes swipe at struggling Indians

SYDNEY: Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin has taken aim at struggling India, saying the tourists "break quicker than anyone in the world" and turn on each other when things are not going their way.

Wicketkeeper Haddin turned up the heat on India, trailing 2-0 ahead of Friday's third Test in Perth, by revealing that Australia had discussed the tourists' mental frailties.

India were crushed by an innings and 68 runs in last week's second Test in Sydney after losing the series opener in Melbourne by 122 runs.

Australian captain Michael Clarke scored 329 not out, and Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey hit centuries as Australia kept the Indians slaving in the field for almost 11 hours in amassing 659 for four declared in Sydney.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris, expected to play in Perth for the injured James Pattinson, has also said India were "down and out already" and being torn apart by internal divisions.

Former players and captains have criticised the Indian team's performance with the latest focus on senior batsman V.V.S. Laxman.

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes Laxman, 37, should be dropped at the WACA ground, allowing for a Test debut for Rohit Sharma in the middle order and for Virat Kohli to retain his place.

Haddin also indicated Australia had detected a weakness in Sachin Tendulkar, whose quest for a 100th international hundred will resume in Perth.

Tendulkar has been the standout Indian batsman in the first two Tests, making 226 runs at an average of 56.5, but he is still short of that elusive milestone.

Haddin told a radio sports programme that paceman Peter Siddle had the ability to get under Tendulkar's skin.

Siddle dismissed him twice at the MCG before Pattinson and Clarke removed the 38-year-old legend in Sydney. (AFP)