Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar believes India should try to reduce the lead as much as possible in the 1st innings as the Australian would not entertain giving a follow-on, as they would like to put the Rohit Sharma-led side bat in the final innings of the match.
The Australian team is in a commanding performance in the WTC final following a terrific performance with the ball rattling the India top order batters on Day 2 on Thursday. Pat Cummins-led had dominated with the bat as they posted 469 runs in the first innings as Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163) gave their side a massive advantage in the ongoing Ultimate test.
Speaking on Star Sports, Indian World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar is still hopeful about India’s chances going forward stating the legendary partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman during the 2001 Test, where India made a massive comeback to win the game in an iconic game in Eden gardens and reckons that Australia would not enforce the follow-on, as it might be a gamble as the Indians can bat well in the 2nd innings, to put the score to chase for the Aussies to chase on the final day.
“What the Australians have seen in 2001 when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman had that massive partnership. Sorry, I am reminding you of that Justin Langer. They batted for almost two days.
“Then India came back on the last day and dismiss Australia to win. And then went on to win the last Test as well. I do not think Australia will entertain any thoughts of giving a follow on. Because if they do, India bat well. India has the ability. They made some misjudgments. They made some errors,” Sunil Gavaskar said
Dravid and Laxman stitched a fantastic partnership of 376 runs as Laxman scored 281 and Dravid 180 to put India in the driver’s seat. Though Australia had enforced the follow-on. India amassed a second innings score of 657 for seven declared left Australia with a target of 384 on a fifth-day pitch as India staged a comeback to beat the tourists by 171 runs in the match.
Indian Team Should Try And Reduce The Lead As Much As Possible – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar feels that the Indian team could score runs in the 2nd innings if they are forced to play by enforcing the follow-on and as they can try to score runs, as the Kennington Oval has a better batting average in the 3rd innings of the game and believes that Ravindra Jadeja can come into play on the final day of surface offers some turns and added that India must at least score more 269 runs in the 1st innings to reduce the lead.
“They were out shouldering some deliveries, getting bowled. They could score some runs as happened at Eden Gardens. On the last day when the ball is turning, Ravindra Jadeja can create some magic. So, India’s first target would be to get past that score of 269 and try and reduce the lead as much as possible,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
Indian top batters once again crumbled under pressure against well-planned bowling by Australia, as India lost their top 4 wickets for just 71, as Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya batted to give the Indian side some hope before the Indian all-rounder dismissed for 48 runs off Nathan Lyon. At the end of Day 2, the Indian team was 151-5, with Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat batting in the middle.