After an decent display at Nagpur, India are reasonably confident going into Delhi for the 2nd test of the series. Winning this will ensure that they cannot lose the series and it will take the team a longway to ensure qualification for the WTC finals during the middle of the year. They will need to win only one of the remaining couple to seal the spot. It will also ensure that the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which 50 years from now, may attain the same cult status as The Ashes, is retained. Australia, on the otherhand, are in a slight bit of bother. Question marks over the combination and the inability of their batsmen to score on a decent pitch at Nagpur hangs over the head of the management. India vs Australia Delhi Test preview.
The return of Shreyas Iyer
It will be a huge bonus if Shreyas Iyer is declared fit and ready to play. He is one batsman in this Indian team who can bat against spin pretty well. Long years in the Ranji Trophy has tuned his game to use his feet properly to spin bowlers. Something the likes of Kohli and Pujara will have to learn all over again. Alongwith Pant, Iyer is one batsman who has kept the flag of Indian batting flying. His consistent run in India against various teams and his recent match winning efforts in Bangladesh will keep the Australians on their toes.
Yes, he still has short ball issues but Australia are unlikely to attack him with a short ball barrage because of the effort that is required on such slow pitches. Cummins is content to bowl lots of spin. It may well play into the hands of Iyer. He is sure to replace Surya Yadav who in a short stay, wasn’t convincing enough.
Gill must replace Rahul
But it will not happen. Gill’s form is fabulous and Rahul’s is atrocious and yet, the team management does not think that dropping Rahul is how it must be. On top of that, he is the de facto captain if Rohit Sharma is injured or goes off the field for a short period. How can the Indian Board reward someone who has consistently performed well below par? Venkatesh Prasad, the former Indian bowler was quite categorical when he tweeted,
“I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances.”
Neither can the supporters of the Indian team.
The Indian lower order
Rohit Sharma helped himself to a hundred but if it wasn’t for the Indian lower order of Jadeja and Axar, the game could have well turned out differently. If one were to add the contribution of Ashwin as a nightwatchman, India at home, have the luxury of 3 proper allrounders who are good with the bat. Jadeja is more than just an allrounder. He is a proper batsman now after threatening to become one in a longtime. Jadeja gives the team that much flexibility. Ashwin has rediscovered his batting after a few years. For awhile he was under the impression that his only job was to take wickets. Axar has been a revelation in the last test. He could bat but no one would have thought that he has the temperament for a long innings.
Australia’s problems
It starts right at the top. David Warner. He hasn’t really set the records on fire in Asia. He has been to India and Asia plenty of times but his record still stays the same. What was worse was that he was dismissed by Shami in the first innings thereby setting tone. It is time he is replaced. If the team management is reluctant to replace him, Warner himself must inform Cummins that he will be a liability and hence must drop himself.
Who will replace Warner at the top? That is an interesting question. Matt Renshaw, who started his career as an opener fits in the bill. However, his struggle at Nagpur and his part record in India is against him. Australia are toying with the idea of asking Head to open. Head is not afraid to play his shots. Lusty blows from him at the top will also settle down Khawaja.
Australia bowled lot of over at Nagpur. The lack of a 5th bowler was telling. Cameroon Green’s fitness will be closely monitored. He may not pick up wickets by the bucketful but he can very well give the 4 main bowlers much needed rest. If he is not fit enough to take his spot, will Australia do the unthinkable of dropping a batsman for a bowler? Perhaps not. Lyon will have to step up in his role. He is a quality bowler. No doubt about that but at Nagpur, Murphy operated as the lone wolf. Last time around, Lyon had good support from Steve Keefe. Now, he will have to give the same support to Murphy.
Wrapping up India vs Australia Delhi Test Preview
Whomever Australia picks, it does not really matter unless the team as a whole shifts their mind off from the quality of the pitch. They will do well to not read the articles on the Australia newspapers which is full of negativity. The Australian and English media’s obsession over the pitches on the subcontinent must cease for them to start to win consistently. When India tour these countries, Indian fans and the media pound on our players if they fail to live upto expectations. We do not blame the excessive bounce or the excessive movement.
If the pitch turns, which it will, India will fancy themselves of going up 2-0 unless Australian batsmen play out of their skin and give themselves a chance. Smith and Marnus will have to raise to the occasion because the rest do not inspire much confidence.
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