The Indian Cricket team and their home team counterparts were invited by the Australian PM Tony Abbott for an afternoon tea at his official residence on the New Year’s day on Thursday.
Players from both the sides posed for the official photo session with Abbott. MS Dhoni, who retired from Tests after the drawn third Test at Melbourne, was not seen with the Indian team in the photo.
“The Indian cricket team was hosted for afternoon tea by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the first day of the new year, on Thursday,” the BCCI said.
There was another photograph of the newly-appointed Indian Test captain Virat Kohli and the Australian Test captain Steven Smith with Abbott.
So far, India have had a disappointing tour of Australia. It’s not that they haven’t competed, but the fact of the matter is that they have failed to win the big moments. In the first Test at Adelaide after Kohli and Vijay had taken India to a strong position, the likes of Rohit, Saha failed to capitalize on that and India lost the match. In the second Test at Brisbane, Indian bowlers reduced Australia to 249/6 in their first innings, but failed to get past their tail and conceded a lead. Then Indian batting also suffered a collapse and they lost this match also.
Lead by Kohli and Rahane’s hundred in the Boxing day Test at Melbourne, India were 409/3 at one stage in reply to Australia’s total of 530, but, they suffered yet another collapse and got all-out for 465. With the lead of 65, Australia put on another strong total to set India a target of 385 in 70 overs. India tried to chase it but they lost quick wickets and because of which they played for a draw.
Now with series lost, they would be itching to come out all guns blazing in Sydney and play some hard cricket.
