5 Things India Need To Do To Bounce Back In Test Series vs Australia

Jan 28, 2019 at 12:37 PM

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5 Things India Need To Do To Bounce Back In Test Series vs Australia

It is safe to assume that very few people on this planet would have even entertained the thought of Australia comprehensively beating India on a track that was crumbling from the very first session. As unimaginable as it may seem on paper, the reality turned out to be disastrous for the hosts, as their impeccable home Test season finally witnessed a debacle.

Suddenly, India now stare at something quite serious, as another heist, and Australia could well retain the prestigious Border Gavaskar Trophy. If there is any venue for India to strike back, it’s going to be none other than the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. India handed Australia a thrashing at this very venue in 2010 and would be eager to repeat the same this time around as well.

Thereby, we have a look at the five things India must do to bounce back in the Test series vs Australia:

  1. Get The Team combination Right:

India got their team combination horribly wrong at Pune, as going in with a 6-5 combo proved to be a poor decision on a worn out track. On a pitch that was just getting difficult, it was essential to have an extra batsman rather than a bowler. The bowler in this case, Jayant Yadav, was simply ordinary as he seemed rusty and bowled several loose deliveries. The presence of Karun Nair would have been ideal in Pune and that can be the one lesson to keep in mind for the upcoming Test. Bengaluru is Nair’s home ground and if needed, he should be handed a recall without a doubt. Going with a 6-5 combo against a side like England was a positive move, but against Australia, a side with some daunting bowlers – it could easily backfire.

  1. All-Rounder Ravichandran Ashwin Needs To Step Up:

Since the Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, Ashwin has been India’s biggest asset. With a batting average of 38.52 and a bowling average of just 24.4 in this period, the stats speak for themselves. Apart from running away with the opposing batting lineups, Ashwin has also consistently scored some priceless runs down the order for India. Against England for instance, he played a couple of valuable knocks at Rajkot and Mohali, the latter eventually turned out to be match-winning. For India to get back to winning ways, Ashwin needs to do the same down the order against Australia. In low scoring games, Ashwin’s contributions can be the difference between a victory and a defeat.

  1. Openers Need To Fire At All Costs:

In 14 innings in which Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have opened together, the duo average just a paltry 18.78 as a pair for the first wicket. With just one half-century stand between the two till now, it is safe to say that this has been India’s major concern for quite a while now. Both have been quite inconsistent and have failed to replicate their good form. Pune was no different, as India lost its first wicket cheaply in both the innings. Bengaluru could well turn out to be the final opportunity for this pair. Another poor outing and we could well witness a new opening combination for the remaining two games of the series. Due to their dismal starts, the middle-order has to soak in all the pressure, especially the number three batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who cannot play his natural free flowing game.

  1. The Pujara Factor:

Considered to be India’s best player against spin, Pujara is bound to be India’s savior in the next game. The hardworking right-hander made his debut at Bengaluru itself against the very same side in 2010 and played a match-winning knock in a tricky fourth innings run-chase. The last time Australia toured India in 2013, Pujara was in the thick of things as well with a few stellar knocks. He is a run-machine and for India to have any hopes of drawing blood at Bengaluru, a lot will depend upon Pujara’s willow. Expect this ever reliable batsman to respond in some style in the second Test.

  1. Skipper Virat Kohli Needs To Be Supported In The Outfield:

Not just Virat Kohli, any skipper is bound to be helpless if his fielders drop three regulation catching chances of the best batsman of the opposition. Due to India’s mediocre fielding display at Pune, Virat Kohli seemed clueless as his fielders made a mess of numerous opportunities. Those chances eventually cost India dearly in the end. Another thing is that a veteran of 75 Tests like Ishant Sharma needs to support his captain by bowling according to the plan rather than being wayward and rendered futile. If Kohli doesn’t find the much-needed support from his own players, India will simply not get the desired results.

The individuals must take the onus upon themselves to back Kohli and help India win Test matches.

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