India vs Australia – Match Review(2nd Test) – Test Series

200749.3

 

Notwithstanding change of guard, India’s performance continues to be abysmal down under

Continuing the old tradition of not moping up the tail quickly, Indian bowlers under the usual skipper MS Dhoni, who was ruled out of the first test due to injury, let Australia off the hook on the 3rd day of 2nd test match at Brisbane. Replying to the first innings total of 408, Aussies at one time were left reeling at 250 odd for 6 before Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and others chip in with useful contribution to take the host to 505 and in the process gain a lead of 97 runs. Now, India will have to bat well in the second innings to stay afloat, which seems difficult looking at how things have gone so far in the series.

 Apart from this test, there have instances of India blowing away the opportunity to win test matches at Wellington, New Zealand; and Johanesburg, South Africa; from a very good position. In fact the situation went to such an extent that India had to fight for a draw in both the test matches.
 Too many short-pitched deliveries cause dismay
 Just like what is being witnessed in this test match, there seems to be lack of planning from the Indian fast bowlers on overseas tours as they keep on bowling only bouncers to tailenders and forget to pitch the ball up to them. Johnson has been constantly peppered with short pitch stuffs for no avail. Don’t forget he is a handy batsman and a test hundred under his belt. It also remains baffling to note that nothing gets addressed to resolve this perennial mess even when the team is under the custody of Ravi Shastri, the man who was known to instill confidence amongst team members during his captaincy at both international and domestic level.
Injuries do not help the case either 
Lack of fitness have for long prevented the Indian bowlers from going at full throttle to take 20 wickets overseas. A noticeable example is the case of Ishant Sharma who after playing couple of test matches remain absent for 3-4 test matches on a trot, causing imbalances in the side. May be it’s time he and other bowlers use the off season to get fit and ready for the grueling cricketing schedule.
PS – This article is written by Intern Vikas Das.

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