In about 3 days, the first test between India and Australia will begin in Adelaide. This will as we know be a day-night test match. The first such instance for India in Australia and their first day-night game against a top team. This is going to be a new experience for the Indian team and probably the toughest test for the team since the time they went to England and were hammered 4-1. Both the sides have some exciting cricketers and quite a few nervous ones. Both the sides have some excellent fast bowlers and save for a couple, pretty ordinary batsmen. Everyone seems to be expecting a cracker of a game but I do think that it will one sided favouring Australia. I want to be proved wrong. India vs Australia first test preview.
The Adelaide track
Adelaide is traditionally a batting wicket in that scores in excess of 450 is quite common. Games in Adelaide will usually last the entire 5 days. Since the invention of day-night tests, the pitch and the pink ball have changed the nature of Adelaide ground itself. A lot of grass is left on the pitch to ensure that the pink ball lasts for 80 overs. This has certainly helped the bowlers to a great extent. As such, only one test out of the three that was played in Adelaide have lasted the whole 5 days. The other games were completed within well below 4 days. The bottom line is, batting under the lights at Adelaide is not easy. The bowlers have found lateral movement when the lights are switched on and the pink ball have helped the bowlers in that.
Australia have bowlers of the quality of Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood who are all capable of taking complete advantage of the pink ball and the movement under the lights. Added to that, Nathan Lyon has an impressive strike rate at Adelaide. All the 4 bowlers for Australia will be a nightmare for the Indians.
India too have bowlers who are capable to taking advantage of the prevailing conditions. However, the 3rd fast bowler and the lone spinner is somewhat unproven in Australia. There are rumours going around that India intends to play 4 fast bowlers with the rest being 6 batsmen and a keeper. This is flawed thinking. Not only will the 4 fast bowlers be unable to complete the overs within the stipulated time but will also leak runs on the big outfield in Adelaide if the lines are wrong. A spinner is very much required to keep the rampaging Australian batsmen quiet.
Why do I think Australia holds the advantage?
First,
This series is being played in Australia. The Aussies are well accustomed to their grounds and it takes a colossal effort on the part of any team visiting Australia to defeat them when they have their best side. Only the great South African team of the late 2000s and the early 2010s were able to defeat them consistently. The English were supremely confident and the Australians under Ponting in 2011 were a spent force. India in 2018, we know who wasn’t there. Smith singlehandedly was the reason for Australia retaining the Ashes in 2019.
Second,
The early form shown by Steven Smith. He is an extraordinary batsman at the Test level and against India, he has always always scored runs wherever the game is played and in both ODIs & Tests. Something happens to him when it comes to Test cricket that he becomes a different beast.
Third,
The form of the tourists in the couple of warm up games. The Indian team almost lost the first game if not for Saha’s fighting innings against a good bowling attack. Except for Pujara & Rahane, the rest of the batsmen struggled. Even those 2, did not perform in the 2nd innings. The bowlers didn’t have a good game either. The familiar site of unable to get the wickets of tailenders returned and it is depressing enough. Concession can be given to the Indian team in that they played a red-ball game after 8 months and players are bound to feel rusty. Also, the Aussies came up with a decent enough team with some Test hopefuls and Test regulars.
However, the same cannot be said about the 2nd game. The Indians were bowled out for a score less than 200. Yes, the pitch was lively but save for Bumrah’s innings, the Indians would have been embarrassed with a score less than 150. The Indian bowlers were able to bowl the opposition out for just over a hundred. Looked closely will reveal great details. There was only one batsmen, albeit a keeper, Alex Carey, who is an Aussie regular and the Indian bowlers struggled in the first innings to get him out. The Australian batsmen and the bowlers for that game wasn’t of top quality. The Indian management must realise this.
Fourth,
The inexperienced or poor technique of the Indian batsmen. Shaw is so bad that he must not be in Australia. Gill is inexperienced and so is Vihari. Rahane and Pujara cannot be depended which leaves Kohli as the only batsman of repute. Unfortunately, Kohli will leave Australia after the end of the first game.
About the Aussies
This is not to say that Australians are on top of their game. They have their own problems. In the absence of Warner and the continued struggle of Burns, they do not have an opening pair. Wade & Head have question marks over their head. The one thing the Australians absolutely have in their favour is Steven Smith. It is difficult to see the Indian team getting Smith early. Their bowling is settled with Lyon having impressive credentials in Adelaide.
The Indian team
I am certain that Agarwal will open but he must be partnered with Vihari and the top of the order. Yes, this is a bit unfair on Vihari but he has shown good technique. He will be able to play the long innings. Let the youngster Shubnam Gill, who will be making his debut, play at 6. He is certainly short of confidence but the reserve batsmen in the team do not inspire much confidence. However, I think Rahul will open with Agarwal and Vihari will bat at 6. The ball moves at Adelaide in the evening. Hence, a good keeper is needed. Saha will be that keeper. In the absence of Kumar and Ishant, Ashwin must be the spinner to support Bumrah, Shami & Siraj. Umesh has let the team down far too often that he must not be considered.
Wrapping up India vs Australia first test preview
I just hope that India will utilise the conditions to nullify the threat of Smith & Marnus and win this test.
Other articles related to the Australian tour can be read here, here, here, here & here.
