Australia vs India 2018/19: 3rd Seamer is the Only Concern for Us – Sunil Gavaskar
Jan 17, 2019 at 12:47 PM
The ex-India captain, Sunil Gavaskar touched upon the only worry for India heading into the Melbourne ODI. Gavaskar ahead of the final game of the three-match series said the 3rd seamer had been India’s concern. The MCG on Friday (January 18th) will host the decider, while Gavaskar feels India could go in with two seamers in Melbourne. As both Khaleel and Siraj didn’t have the best of outings in the SCG and Adelaide ODI, respectively; the veteran thinks Virat could opt for three spinners in the Melbourne ODI.
Change in tactics on cards for India?
The three-match ODI series currently stands at 1-1. In the first ODI, Australia found success by 34 runs, while in the following game at the Adelaide Oval, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli guided India to level the series. Though captain Kohli smashed 104 runs, his 39th ODI hundred; the former India captain MS Dhoni hit an unbeaten 55.
Meanwhile, Virat played both the pacers, Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj in the first and the second game, respectively. Khaleel, who made his ODI debut during the Asia Cup last year leaked runs and didn’t pick any wicket as well. In eight overs, he gave away 55 runs.
Whereas, in the second ODI, Mohammed Siraj made his debut; something he would like to forget. Likewise Khaleel, Siraj also leaked runs; 76 off his ten overs and went wicketless too. As a result, the India National Cricket Team failed to create any pressure and conceded 288 and 298 runs in the two games.
Pressing on the current situation of the pace attack, Sunil Gavaskar opened up on the matter. He said,
“The only problem in the bowling department in this series is India’s third pacer. In the first ODI, Khaleel Ahmed was expensive and in the second ODI Mohammed Siraj gave away too many runs. That is the only area of concern,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
“India’s batting is good, fielding is also good. Melbourne is a big ground, India may play only two seamers and three spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal can be given a chance in Melbourne,” he added.
Gavaskar credits Dhoni for coming good
Sunil Gavaskar shared high praise for MS Dhoni after the latter silenced his critics with an unbeaten 55 in the Adelaide ODI.
“When a senior player is not in good form then everyone is concerned. But the way MS Dhoni batted he showed that he still has it in him. Maybe not what he used to be with the bat but he proved he was no less efficient,” Gavaskar said.
The third and final match the MCG will take place on Friday (January 18th).