The India against Australia series is just a few days away. It promises to be an absorbing contest. Australia are under immense confidence after last year’s successful Asian leg whereas India, at home, are a formidable side. There are quite a few battles within the series whose outcome will very much decide who the winner of the series will be. I feel that these battles to watch out for.
Ashwin against Smith and Labuschagne
Ashwin by his own admission, spent a lot of time in studying Smith’s technique just before the 2020 series in Australia. It proved quite effective initially. It was a good ploy that kept Smith quite for first and second tests which was pretty much the reason India won the 2nd test. Ofcourse, being the great cricketer he is, Smith realised this specific mode of attack and changed his game accordingly. Marnus though did not fall for any particular mode. Though his returns during the series was less by his standards, he still scored the most runs for Australia. I expect Ashwin to have studied even more about Smith in particular and Australian batsmen in general during the interim period. Ever since the end of the Bangladesh tour, Ashwin had time on hand to formulate his plan.
Back in 2004, Shane Warne did not take too many wickets but he got the wicket of Laxman cheaply in most of the innings. It paved the way for Australia to win the series. If Ashwin can pick up both Smith and Marnus cheaply or atleast for reasonable scores, he will have ensured that India win the series. On the otherhand, if both or either of them end up having an incredible tour, there is no way Australia will lose.
Siraj against Khawaja
I have picked Khawaja as a higher threat than Warner because Warner is not known to be successful in Asia. I am not entirely discounting him but I just feel that Khawaja to be a better batsman on the slow and low Indian pitches. Siraj is good in angling the ball away from the lefthander. Though Khawaja has a good backfoot play, he is not used to the SG ball. If Siraj manages to angle a few away from the bat, Khawaja is bound to push at one and get caught behind. Siraj with his height will be bigger threat than Shami.
Jadeja against Head
Jadeja is coming back after a longtime. It has been awhile since he has played any competitive cricket. He proved his fitness in the lone Ranji Trophy game. India certainly missed the services of Jadeja in the Asia Cup and World Cup. He is back now. Jadeja is a slow starter, in the sense that he took an eternity before his realised his potential with the bat and ever since, he has been quite consistent with the bat. Head has rejuvenated himself from where he was a few years ago. He is now intent in playing his shots. With the ball coming into him, Head will fancy his chances of prevailing over Jadeja. Jadeja’s subtle variations will be decisive in keeping Head quite.
Cummins against Rohit Sharma
This will be fascinating to watch. This is Cummins’s first tour of India as the captain. Last time around, he bowled with pace and fire and very largely responsible alongwith Smith to keep Australia in the series. He will want to win the series in India at the very first opportunity. Rohit Sharma hasn’t played red-ball cricket in close to a year. Surfeit of ODI cricket has left him somewhat vulnerable. He is also a compulsive hooker and Cummins will not waste any opportunity to make him hook. It was a productive shot for Rohit a few years ago but advancing age, slowing reflex and a rotund frame has hampered this particular shot over the last year. The shot that was once profitable has now become a liability.
Lyon against Kohli
Kohli’s red-ball form is a worry. No doubt about it. His average in India over 3 years is a mere 22. Far too often, he has fallen to the spinners. For someone who used to eat spinners for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is a drastic fall. Perhaps, Kohli will do well to discuss with Kevin Pietersen who had a similar problem against spinners, especially the leftarm variety. Runs from the blade of Kohli is extremely important for India to win the series. Get Kohli cheaply and without the assurance of Pant to support, India will be in dire straits. Lyon proved the mastery of his craft in 2016 when he picked up lot of wickets. If India can keep Lyon at bay, half of the battle is won.
Cummins and Lyon against Gill
Gill has had a fabulous last half a year. He got hundreds in all the formats and is raring to go. If he opens the innings, Cummins will test him. If he bats in the middle order, Lyon will test him. How he is able to overcome these challenges, he will have a great series.
Lyon and Swepson against Shreyas Iyer
India will hope that by the time Shreyas Iyer walks in, the Australian fast bowlers are in their 3rd or 4th spell and that the spinners are bowling the bulk of the overs. Lyon will find in Iyer a batsman who is not afraid to use his feet. He can play shots all around the ground. This will be lovely battle. Lyon will give the ball lot of air. Iyer, who has played spinners ample number of times, will love to show his wares against the spinners.
Wrapping up battles to watch out for
Which set of bowlers wins most of the battle will determine who wins the series. For the sake of the country, I wish India will emerge victorious at the end of a gruelling series. Australia find themselves in the unlikely position of being the favourites.