- The third Test of the ongoing four-match series between India and Australia has been interesting and intriguing despite failing to cross three days so far. That Team India succeeded in retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy must offer some relief to diehard cricket enthusiasts. But how Australia managed to bounce back in the recently concluded Indore Test speaks volumes about the known resilience and never-say-die approach of the Aussies. Admirably, how Aussies made sure Team India gets to taste its own medicine vis-à-vis comfortably subduing on the spin-friendly track is an emulation-worthy lesson in itself. The way Team India meekly surrendered without offering a whiff of the fight must be rankling the Indian think tank for sure.
PC: Freepik
- A nine-wicket victory is huge by any standards, and that too against the home team brought up on spin-friendly surfaces doubly endorses the capabilities of Team Australia, especially its superstar spinner Natha Lyon. That the writing was on the wall in Indore was amply clear when Team India meekly folded for a mere 109 in the first innings. That Team India could still consider themselves a chance to stay in the game on the second day was largely thanks to the efforts of the bowlers. Jadeja, Ashwin, and Umesh Yadav were outstanding. However, the way Team India folded up in the second innings without offering a semblance of the fight must be a real concern. Except for Cheteshwar Pujara’s half-century, none of the batsmen were up to the task.
- Yet again it was Nathan Lyon who ran through the India batting by claiming eight wickets. Not for nothing Lyon is considered one of the premier spinners in the Test-playing world, and he proved with a masterclass display when it mattered most. A target of 75 to chase is never going to be enough against a champion side like Australia was a no-brainer. The same was achieved by losing opening batsman Usman Khwaja showcased how the Aussies dominated in the entire Test. The moot point to ponder over here is what went wrong for Team India who was expected to breeze through the Test. Maybe a sense of complacency and a bit of overconfidence contributed to the sound thrashing. Did someone mention Team India got the taste of its own medicine? Indeed.
PC: Freepik
- The Indian batting over the years has not been up to scratch in home conditions. Even in the ongoing series, except for Rohit Sharma’s century in Nagpur Test, none of the top-order batsmen have been able to leave behind their stamp. It’s always the lower-order batsmen who have time and again held together the team’s scoring. Axar Patel, Jadeja, and Ashwin have contributed handsomely to the team’s batting cause. Thus, the deciding Test in Ahmedabad assumes greater significance. Indications are that India will still go ahead with a turning track and if it has to emerge a winner, the famed batting lineup should come to the party. Otherwise, the team from Down Under will reassert itself through its impressive spinners to subdue the home team yet again.
