- True cricket connoisseurs would know the advantages of starting any series on a winning note. The momentum gained with the triumph in the series opener sets the stage for moving ahead of the opposition psychologically as well as numerically. Expectedly, the India- Australia four-match Test series that started in Nagpur garnered tremendous attention and anticipation of a mouth-watering battle between the two top Test-playing nations. The billing was justifiable since the series between the two nations has always produced no less than scintillating performances with both bat and the ball evenly contesting for an upper hand. No wonder, cricket pundits place contests between the two sides even above the marquee Australia-England Ashes series.
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- Now, what transpired in less than three days in Nagpur showed how difficult it is for the visiting teams to subdue the Indian cricket team under home conditions. Mind you, even before the Test started, the attention was on the pitch conditions on offer which was expectedly dry assisting the strengths of the home side, the spinners. Of course, those talks were irrelevant and unnecessary since the home team reserves the right to produce wickets suiting its strengths rather than provide something which will be welcomed by the visitors. Remember, we don’t get spinning tracks while touring overseas as the wickets provided will invariably aid fast bowlers. We cannot and don’t complain about the same but battle it out accordingly.
- Indeed, the first Test was lost by the Aussies courtesy of some poor batting performances, especially by experienced batters like David Warner and Steve Smith who failed to put up a big score on the board. The Indian response in the first innings, led by captain Rohit Sharma’s masterful century, set the stage for a big lead. Jadeja was phenomenal in the bowling department in the first innings and followed up with a fighting half-century as well. Axar Patel also shone with the bat in the first innings notching up a defiant 80. A huge first-innings lead meant the Aussies were put under tremendous pressure to not only survive the deteriorating pitch but also score enough runs to make India bat again. Unfortunately, nothing of that sort materialized in the end.
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- Aussie batters were steamrolled for 91 by the guile of Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-for and Jadeja in the second innings. The match was over within three days. The way Indian spinners dominated the Test was simply fascinating. The only positive to emerge for the Aussies from the Test was the debutant off-spinner Todd Murphy’s impressive performance in taking seven Indian wickets. The abject surrender of battle-hardened Aussies is quite surprising and it’s only going to get even tougher in the remaining three Tests. The only way the Kangaroos can stay afloat in the series is to put up an improved show in the ensuing Tests by scoring against the rampaging spinners. Otherwise, expect Team India to whitewash the series with great aplomb.
