- Not for nothing it is mentioned with authority that the game of cricket is full of glorious uncertainties. Yes, the beauty of cricket, or for that matter any sport is that no one can accurately predict the eventual outcome. Even the true connoisseurs fully versed with the nuances of the game and the nitty-gritty would be loathe to commit to what’s going to unfold consequently. Cricket fans closely following the fortunes of every team would have noticed how the formidable Team India was whitewashed – or is it blackwashed – by the unheralded New Zealanders during the recently concluded three-match Test series. The manner in which the fancied Indian batters failed to negotiate the visiting spinners on familiar home conditions was a big surprise.
PC:India Today
- The Indian cricket fans steadily brought up on the impregnable nature of the home team lording over visiting teams were in for a shock with the abject surrender of Team India. What this defeat prompted immediately was the outcome of the ensuing five-match Test series Down Under. None can dispute how hard it is for any visiting cricket team to win in Australia where the fast and bouncy pitches often ensure the visitors are at the receiving end. Moreover, what was at stake for Team India was the qualification into the final of the World Test Championship. The 3-0 defeat meant Team India must win against Australia with a 4-0 margin to qualify for the WTC. The task is not only daunting but also well-nigh impossible given the challenges expected.
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PC:Business Standard
- However, Indian cricket fans are aware of how Team India defeated the Aussies in their own den in the two previous tours quite convincingly. The memories are still fresh when the last series victory came against such odds when so many marquee cricketers were missing due to injuries. As such, Team India’s chances of scoring yet another comprehensive series victory were not a completely lost cause. So it appears now after the resounding win in the first Test at Perth when the odds were stacked against the visitors. Despite being bowled out for a paltry 150 in the first innings, the way Team India made a comeback riding on the awesome bowling efforts led by the inimitable Jasprit Bumrah has given hope for a defining series victory.
PC:Britannica
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether Team Australia’s impregnable fortress has become vulnerable to a serious breach. The domineering aura, aggressive play, in-your-face sledging, and never-say-die approach on the field appear to be waning going by the look of things. Team Australia’s once-dominating nature especially from the marauding batters is increasingly becoming rare. The batters of the stature of Steve Smith are not in the best of form over the last few years. Other batters are not in the same category to score big runs to set up a hefty target on the board. Of course, the bowlers are formidable. If Team India applies enough pressure on the batters from now on, there’s no reason why we should not win the series 4-0 or 4-1.
