Why MCG setback is more than just a test loss
As the post tea session began on the final day of the riveting Boxing day test at the MCG, the average cricket fan could more or less see a draw on the cards. Although India required some 230 odd runs at run-a-ball, going after the chase was never really on anyone's mind given the stakes. A draw here would have meant the scoreline would be 1-1 going into the New Year's test at Sydney and WTC prospects very much open for the visitors. The pair of Pant and Jaiswal was well set, and Australia were going flat with their bowling. Not to mention they gave the ball to Labuschagne to bowl a few innocuous bumpers at Pant before tea. Pat Cummins started bowling Lyon and Head in tandem in the third session, preempting a possible deduction of WTC points due to slow over rate. The Aussie skipper could also picture a draw as the most probable result. But, it simply wasn't meant to be. India had to do something extraordinary to avoid a draw in the last session, and they did just that. After showing immaculate defense, Pant couldn't resist a half tracker from Head and miscued a lofted shot to Mitch Marsh at long on. Travis Head, India's nemesis, will turn the match one way or the other ! That particular incident brought back life into the Aussie attack as they then started attacking at full throttle. Jadeja was first dismissed followed by the first innings saviour Reddy. Once Jaiswal 'nicked' the ball trying to play the hook shot, it was all but a mere formality from thereon. It would be all too convenient to put the blame on Pant, since it was his wicket that triggered the collapse of 7 wickets for just 34 runs on a rather benign Day 5 pitch. But the problem is somewhere else. The form of Kohli and Rohit is a cause of huge concern, especially the latter who is averaging 6 on this tour. For too long the pressure is on the lower middle order to bail the team out of trouble after poor starts. There have been calls suggesting Rohit should be benched in favour of Shubman Gill, who has shown decent form this series and was unlucky to miss out on the Boxing day test. To be honest, the Indian skipper is quite selfless and one shouldn't really be surprised if this thought is indeed put to reality by Rohit himself. What this effectively means is that India no longer have their WTC final aspirations in their own hands. A match which broke the records for highest attendance by spectators, will go down as a bitter pill to swallow for the Indian team and their fans, who outnumbered their Aussie counterparts significantly throughout the five days. All is still not lost, there is still a test match to be played and a Border Gavaskar trophy to be retained, but the momentum is well and truly with the hosts who are one step away from booking the ticket of WTC final at Lord's against the Proteas.
Why MCG setback is more than just a test loss
As the post tea session began on the final day of the riveting Boxing day test at the MCG, the average cricket fan could more or less see a draw on the cards. Although India required some 230 odd runs at run-a-ball, going after the chase was never really on anyone's mind given the stakes. A draw here would have meant the scoreline would be 1-1 going into the New Year's test at Sydney and WTC prospects very much open for the visitors. The pair of Pant and Jaiswal was well set, and Australia were going flat with their bowling. Not to mention they gave the ball to Labuschagne to bowl a few innocuous bumpers at Pant before tea. Pat Cummins started bowling Lyon and Head in tandem in the third session, preempting a possible deduction of WTC points due to slow over rate. The Aussie skipper could also picture a draw as the most probable result. But, it simply wasn't meant to be. India had to do something extraordinary to avoid a draw in the last session, and they did just that. After showing immaculate defense, Pant couldn't resist a half tracker from Head and miscued a lofted shot to Mitch Marsh at long on. Travis Head, India's nemesis, will turn the match one way or the other ! That particular incident brought back life into the Aussie attack as they then started attacking at full throttle. Jadeja was first dismissed followed by the first innings saviour Reddy. Once Jaiswal 'nicked' the ball trying to play the hook shot, it was all but a mere formality from thereon. It would be all too convenient to put the blame on Pant, since it was his wicket that triggered the collapse of 7 wickets for just 34 runs on a rather benign Day 5 pitch. But the problem is somewhere else. The form of Kohli and Rohit is a cause of huge concern, especially the latter who is averaging 6 on this tour. For too long the pressure is on the lower middle order to bail the team out of trouble after poor starts. There have been calls suggesting Rohit should be benched in favour of Shubman Gill, who has shown decent form this series and was unlucky to miss out on the Boxing day test. To be honest, the Indian skipper is quite selfless and one shouldn't really be surprised if this thought is indeed put to reality by Rohit himself. What this effectively means is that India no longer have their WTC final aspirations in their own hands. A match which broke the records for highest attendance by spectators, will go down as a bitter pill to swallow for the Indian team and their fans, who outnumbered their Aussie counterparts significantly throughout the five days. All is still not lost, there is still a test match to be played and a Border Gavaskar trophy to be retained, but the momentum is well and truly with the hosts who are one step away from booking the ticket of WTC final at Lord's against the Proteas.
Why MCG setback is more than just a test loss
As the post tea session began on the final day of the riveting Boxing day test at the MCG, the average cricket fan could more or less see a draw on the cards. Although India required some 230 odd runs at run-a-ball, going after the chase was never really on anyone's mind given the stakes. A draw here would have meant the scoreline would be 1-1 going into the New Year's test at Sydney and WTC prospects very much open for the visitors. The pair of Pant and Jaiswal was well set, and Australia were going flat with their bowling. Not to mention they gave the ball to Labuschagne to bowl a few innocuous bumpers at Pant before tea. Pat Cummins started bowling Lyon and Head in tandem in the third session, preempting a possible deduction of WTC points due to slow over rate. The Aussie skipper could also picture a draw as the most probable result. But, it simply wasn't meant to be. India had to do something extraordinary to avoid a draw in the last session, and they did just that. After showing immaculate defense, Pant couldn't resist a half tracker from Head and miscued a lofted shot to Mitch Marsh at long on. Travis Head, India's nemesis, will turn the match one way or the other ! That particular incident brought back life into the Aussie attack as they then started attacking at full throttle. Jadeja was first dismissed followed by the first innings saviour Reddy. Once Jaiswal 'nicked' the ball trying to play the hook shot, it was all but a mere formality from thereon. It would be all too convenient to put the blame on Pant, since it was his wicket that triggered the collapse of 7 wickets for just 34 runs on a rather benign Day 5 pitch. But the problem is somewhere else. The form of Kohli and Rohit is a cause of huge concern, especially the latter who is averaging 6 on this tour. For too long the pressure is on the lower middle order to bail the team out of trouble after poor starts. There have been calls suggesting Rohit should be benched in favour of Shubman Gill, who has shown decent form this series and was unlucky to miss out on the Boxing day test. To be honest, the Indian skipper is quite selfless and one shouldn't really be surprised if this thought is indeed put to reality by Rohit himself. What this effectively means is that India no longer have their WTC final aspirations in their own hands. A match which broke the records for highest attendance by spectators, will go down as a bitter pill to swallow for the Indian team and their fans, who outnumbered their Aussie counterparts significantly throughout the five days. All is still not lost, there is still a test match to be played and a Border Gavaskar trophy to be retained, but the momentum is well and truly with the hosts who are one step away from booking the ticket of WTC final at Lord's against the Proteas.
More posts are coming soon. Write your own!