How badly will Australia humiliate this Indian side?

[Front Foot Pull]

Which myth bro? I am watching cricket since 1991 and 95% of test matches are played on such wickets on indian soil. You are talking about last 5 years, maybe you find them sporting but then also the nature of wickets are spin freindly where every SENA team struggles to adapt and by time they are used to, the series gets over. Ashwin and jadeja would not have those stats on playing on sporting wickets.

though not from 1991 even i've been watching test cricket for many many years now. dynamics of indian bowling has changed and so have the pitches. i am not at all saying they don't assist spin. but simply certifying them as doctored is such a biased view. i say last 5 years because, i think that time duration reflects the condition one can expect if played currently.
so, the last 5 years of stats shows indian pitches assisted pacers, spinners and batsmen in good balanced proportions. i have posted a separate thread on this forum with stats of different host nations in last 5 years or so showing the bowling averages of pacers & spinners and they prove india produces one of the most balanced pitches, if not the most. not exactly equal proportions, but much better balanced when compared to other places. for example, NZ is a graveyard for spinners, SA pitches favour pace & seam a bit too much putting batsmen and spinners a bit out. pace bowling on indian pitches is itself a bit different and not all have cracked it. shami, umesh have been very good and ishant decent enough. bumrah played only a handful and has excellent numbers, he will have good numbers after more matches too. infact for the last 5 years in india, the pacers have marginally better avg & strike rate than spinners. but the spinners have bowled more number of overs and picked more wickets as well. why burn out pacers when spinners do the job.

to sum it up, indian pitches do favour spin but they are much more balanced when compared to most other countries. in last 5 years the average, strike rate, number of wickets of pacers & spinners are much close in india than other countries. it is about time people stop the preconceived notion of india having just spin doctored pitches.

 

[Jazx]

though not from 1991 even i've been watching test cricket for many many years now. dynamics of indian bowling has changed and so have the pitches. i am not at all saying they don't assist spin. but simply certifying them as doctored is such a biased view. i say last 5 years because, i think that time duration reflects the condition one can expect if played currently.
so, the last 5 years of stats shows indian pitches assisted pacers, spinners and batsmen in good balanced proportions. i have posted a separate thread on this forum with stats of different host nations in last 5 years or so showing the bowling averages of pacers & spinners and they prove india produces one of the most balanced pitches, if not the most. not exactly equal proportions, but much better balanced when compared to other places. for example, NZ is a graveyard for spinners, SA pitches favour pace & seam a bit too much putting batsmen and spinners a bit out. pace bowling on indian pitches is itself a bit different and not all have cracked it. shami, umesh have been very good and ishant decent enough. bumrah played only a handful and has excellent numbers, he will have good numbers after more matches too. infact for the last 5 years in india, the pacers have marginally better avg & strike rate than spinners. but the spinners have bowled more number of overs and picked more wickets as well. why burn out pacers when spinners do the job.

to sum it up, indian pitches do favour spin but they are much more balanced when compared to most other countries. in last 5 years the average, strike rate, number of wickets of pacers & spinners are much close in india than other countries. it is about time people stop the preconceived notion of india having just spin doctored pitches.

People say this because this is the fact and it is since ages and more than 90% of matches were played on doctored pitches. It will take us sometime to realise that india started preparing sporting pitches. My memories are more of dhoni opening the bowling with ashwin and jadeja and they started turning the ball from first over. You may be right from your last 5 year point of view, but you can't deny the fact about doctored pitches by simply calling it a myth.

 

[PakLFC]

Indian fans seems very pessimistic these days. Welcome aboard

 

[cricketjoshila]

Which myth bro? I am watching cricket since 1991 and 95% of test matches are played on such wickets on indian soil. You are talking about last 5 years, maybe you find them sporting but then also the nature of wickets are spin freindly where every SENA team struggles to adapt and by time they are used to, the series gets over. Ashwin and jadeja would not have those stats on playing on sporting wickets.

There is a difference between spin friendly pitches and doctored pitches. India has always had pitches that support spin bowling, thats the nature of the soil and weather.

To call it doctored would mean hard and bouncy pitches in Australia, or seaming pitches in SA are doctored.

 

[pakfan54588]

India will be favourite they are formidable side at home .Also they have psychological advantage against aus after smashing them twice in aus .Nevertheless it will be exciting series because margin of win for india this time will be less

 

[PakLFC]

India at home is a formidable opponent. It may not be as one sided like many fans think.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Indian fans seems very pessimistic these days. Welcome aboard

When you have your top 4 averaging under 30 for last 3 years there is a reason to be pessimistic. Bowlers and Pant have been bailing them out with bat as well for so long.

No3 No4 No 5 performance teamwise last 3 years

 

[PakLFC]

When you have your top 4 averaging under 30 for last 3 years there is a reason to be pessimistic. Bowlers and Pant have been bailing them out with bat as well for so long.

No3 No4 No 5 performance teamwise last 3 years

View attachment 118276

But they can come good anytime. Every series brings new hope

 

[jnaveen1980]

But they can come good anytime. Every series brings new hope

I doubt they will come. We have been waiting for 3 years. Until Pujara's soft 100 there was just one century between the three in 3 years. The real strength of India has been bowling for sometime especially at home.

Last 5 years Indian bowling at home

 

[PakLFC]

I doubt they will come. We have been waiting for 3 years. Until Pujara's soft 100 there was just one century between the three in 3 years. The real strength of India has been bowling for sometime especially at home.

Last 5 years Indian bowling at home

View attachment 118277

Never mind the graph. In Kohli India has the best batsman in the world. The rest of the boy's need to bounce of them. Also, this Aussie side is not a vintage one either so it should be a close contest. The Indian bowling isn't that great but the batting can be awesome if they get it right.

 

[Sidilicious]

Which myth bro? I am watching cricket since 1991 and 95% of test matches are played on such wickets on indian soil. You are talking about last 5 years, maybe you find them sporting but then also the nature of wickets are spin freindly where every SENA team struggles to adapt and by time they are used to, the series gets over. Ashwin and jadeja would not have those stats on playing on sporting wickets.

Some Averages of Indian fast bowlers in the last 5 years in tests in India

Bumrah - 15
Yadav - 15
Shami - 16
Siraj - 16
Ishant - 21

Pray, please tell with this average in the last 5 years, either the pitches are not doctored or these bowlers are the greatest fast bowlers ever to average less than 20 on spin friendly wickets.

 

[Sidilicious]

People say this because this is the fact and it is since ages and more than 90% of matches were played on doctored pitches. It will take us sometime to realise that india started preparing sporting pitches. My memories are more of dhoni opening the bowling with ashwin and jadeja and they started turning the ball from first over. You may be right from your last 5 year point of view, but you can't deny the fact about doctored pitches by simply calling it a myth.

So spin friendly pitches are doctored? Do you say the same thing about bouncy pitches in Australia.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Never mind the graph. In Kohli India has the best batsman in the world. The rest of the boy's need to bounce of them. Also, this Aussie side is not a vintage one either so it should be a close contest. The Indian bowling isn't that great but the batting can be awesome if they get it right.

Bowlers are the reason why India has been dominating at home. Averages indicate that. As far as batting goes Rohit has been the exception. In winning causes at home Kohli averages 27, Rahane averages 22, Pujara averages 16 in the last 3 years.

 

[Mean&Green]

Ashwin and CO will annihilate Australia. The day rishabh pant destroyed Australia’s ego Australian cricket has never looked up. It is clear from the interest of fans of cricket in Australia the numbers have gone down staggeringly low.

 

[Hitman]

@ Pakistani fans who still think we will win the series. A draw would be a miracle for me.

 

[PakLFC]

Bowlers are the reason why India has been dominating at home. Averages indicate that. As far as batting goes Rohit has been the exception. In winning causes at home Kohli averages 27, Rahane averages 22, Pujara averages 16 in the last 3 years.

Then you can bring in some new players or the likes of Shaw and Gill. As I say at home India are never pushovers.

 

[PakLFC]

@ Pakistani fans who still think we will win the series. A draw would be a miracle for me.

Yeah. Pak fans saying India will win and Indian fans saying we'll lose! The world must be ending!!)))

 

[Hitman]

Yeah. Pak fans saying India will win and Indian fans saying we'll lose! The world must be ending!!)))

Pak fans are going by what history suggests. They probably don't have any idea of how our team stands currently.

 

[deep82]

It will be challenging series for India for sure.

Top 4 are in doldrums. Rohit, Gill, Rahul, Kohli, Pujara are the candidates and not reliable anymore.

But I am confident because we have a clutch 5-9 for the series and that will make a difference.
Pant, Iyer, Jadeja, Ashwin, Axar are as clutch as it get. Just need to add Washington in the mix and it will be impossible for Aus to get 20 wickets.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

People say this because this is the fact and it is since ages and more than 90% of matches were played on doctored pitches. It will take us sometime to realise that india started preparing sporting pitches. My memories are more of dhoni opening the bowling with ashwin and jadeja and they started turning the ball from first over. You may be right from your last 5 year point of view, but you can't deny the fact about doctored pitches by simply calling it a myth.

THIS. So only the pitches which favour spin are doctored pitches? Who writes these rules? What about NZ pitches which are a graveyard for spinners and favour only swing & seam? What about the AUS, SA pitches?
Posting the stats of pace & spin in different countries for both the entire history & last 5 years to get the overall & current picture. Making the effort to type it all in the format I want so that every time someone comes with these biased views I can refer them to this post in the future.

Total tests hosted in the history
In IND – 282 matches, pacers 3444 wickets @ 33.55 avg & 70 s/r, spinners 4484 wkts @ 32.3 avg 75 s/r
in AUS – 439, pace 8969 wickets @ 30.4 & 64.5, spin 3940 wkts @ 36 & 82
in ENG – 546, pace 11151 W @ 29.5 & 62, spin 4264 W @ 33 & 77.7
in SA – 246, pace 5387 W @ 28 & 59.6, spin 1845 W @ 33.6 & 76
in NZ – 274, pace 4715 W @ 30.3 & 64.6, spin 1542 W @ 35.5 & 83.5
in PAK – 163, pace 2589 @ 31.2 & 65, spin 1841@ 35.4 & 81
in SL – 152, pace 1972 @ 34 & 65.6, spin 2510 @ 31.2 & 66
in WI – 261, pace 5170 @ 29.3 & 61.6, spin 2320 @ 38.7 & 89

Tests hosts in the last 5 years
In IND – 18, pace 209 W @ 26 & 49.6, spin 351 W @ 28 & 52.4
In AUS – 25, pace 573 w @ 27.5 & 55.6, spin 185 w @ 41 & 79
In ENG – 33, pace 891 w @ 26 & 51, spin 177 w @ 38.7 & 71
In SA – 23, pace 669 w @ 24.3 & 46, spin 141 w @ 34 & 66
In NZ – 18, pace 469 w @ 31 & 61, spin 52 w @ 59.5 & 109
In PAK – 12, pace 171 w @ 32.8 & 64, spin 150 w @ 43.4 & 76
In SL – 17, pace 118 w @ 37 & 74, spin 439 w @ 28.68 & 55
In WI – 21, pace 557 w @ 22.7 & 48, spin 132 w @ 38 & 82

Just observe how the number of wickets, bowling avg, strike rates between pacers & spinners differ in these respective host countries. The numbers in india are the closest. So, a few test matches like dhoni opening with Ashwin or axar running through ENG doesn’t paint the whole picture. As I said earlier, india produces pitches which favour spin but in much more balanced proportions than any other country. Time for you to change your preconceived notion that india doctors pitches and also that only spin pitches are doctored.

 

[Smbhayi]

So you have dropped Pant from your test team?

He didn't drop Pant, he's an automatic choice that's why he named players for only 10 positions..

 

[Pollack]

India is planning to play Unadkat. So it's looking ominous now.

 

[cricketjoshila]

He didn't drop Pant, he's an automatic choice that's why he named players for only 10 positions..

Perhaps the only automatic choice in our batting order.

 

[Desi Don]

India is planning to play Unadkat. So it's looking ominous now.

that's it we are done now that guy can't even bowl at 130 kph

 

[dravidthewall]

Apart from pant and iyyer ..indian batting looks poor. Australia will get iyyer by short pitch bounce ball..pant is hit and miss player. Ashwin as a bowler not in good form.This is best chance for Australia to win the series .Lyon will gets more wickets

 

[Jazx]

THIS. So only the pitches which favour spin are doctored pitches? Who writes these rules? What about NZ pitches which are a graveyard for spinners and favour only swing & seam? What about the AUS, SA pitches?
Posting the stats of pace & spin in different countries for both the entire history & last 5 years to get the overall & current picture. Making the effort to type it all in the format I want so that every time someone comes with these biased views I can refer them to this post in the future.

Total tests hosted in the history
In IND – 282 matches, pacers 3444 wickets @ 33.55 avg & 70 s/r, spinners 4484 wkts @ 32.3 avg 75 s/r
in AUS – 439, pace 8969 wickets @ 30.4 & 64.5, spin 3940 wkts @ 36 & 82
in ENG – 546, pace 11151 W @ 29.5 & 62, spin 4264 W @ 33 & 77.7
in SA – 246, pace 5387 W @ 28 & 59.6, spin 1845 W @ 33.6 & 76
in NZ – 274, pace 4715 W @ 30.3 & 64.6, spin 1542 W @ 35.5 & 83.5
in PAK – 163, pace 2589 @ 31.2 & 65, spin 1841@ 35.4 & 81
in SL – 152, pace 1972 @ 34 & 65.6, spin 2510 @ 31.2 & 66
in WI – 261, pace 5170 @ 29.3 & 61.6, spin 2320 @ 38.7 & 89

Tests hosts in the last 5 years
In IND – 18, pace 209 W @ 26 & 49.6, spin 351 W @ 28 & 52.4
In AUS – 25, pace 573 w @ 27.5 & 55.6, spin 185 w @ 41 & 79
In ENG – 33, pace 891 w @ 26 & 51, spin 177 w @ 38.7 & 71
In SA – 23, pace 669 w @ 24.3 & 46, spin 141 w @ 34 & 66
In NZ – 18, pace 469 w @ 31 & 61, spin 52 w @ 59.5 & 109
In PAK – 12, pace 171 w @ 32.8 & 64, spin 150 w @ 43.4 & 76
In SL – 17, pace 118 w @ 37 & 74, spin 439 w @ 28.68 & 55
In WI – 21, pace 557 w @ 22.7 & 48, spin 132 w @ 38 & 82

Just observe how the number of wickets, bowling avg, strike rates between pacers & spinners differ in these respective host countries. The numbers in india are the closest. So, a few test matches like dhoni opening with Ashwin or axar running through ENG doesn’t paint the whole picture. As I said earlier, india produces pitches which favour spin but in much more balanced proportions than any other country. Time for you to change your preconceived notion that india doctors pitches and also that only spin pitches are doctored.

I just gave you the example of ashwin and jadeja, i don't think i need to provide all facts about past 30 years history. I didn't meant preparing picthes helpfull for spin is not good. All i want to say was that it will be another tough series for Australia on indian soil, nothing like an humiliation as the people expecting. And again i would say that indian conditions supports spin but they really doctor them well to become a graveyard for sena teams.

 

[James]

India are not in their best form at the moment, but within India they will still be extremely formidable opposition.

For Australia to beat India in India would not be a rollover, it would take a monumental effort.

India has lost 2 Test series at home this Millennium. Even across the last 10 years India has only lost 2 Tests at home. An incredible record.

 

[Jazx]

So spin friendly pitches are doctored? Do you say the same thing about bouncy pitches in Australia.

Not necessarily but most of them are when india plays at home. Australia have sporting wickets but could not deny that they also do same thing as india but not that frequently.

 

[Jazx]

Some Averages of Indian fast bowlers in the last 5 years in tests in India

Bumrah - 15
Yadav - 15
Shami - 16
Siraj - 16
Ishant - 21

Pray, please tell with this average in the last 5 years, either the pitches are not doctored or these bowlers are the greatest fast bowlers ever to average less than 20 on spin friendly wickets.

I was talking about the last 30 years as a whole. Lets see which kind of wickets they prepare for this series.

 

[Pollack]

Not necessarily but most of them are when india plays at home. Australia have sporting wickets but could not deny that they also do same thing as india but not that frequently.

Bouncy wickets are sporting wickets but turners are doctored ones. Great, maybe Australia should learn to play spin, no?

 

[Jazx]

Bouncy wickets are sporting wickets but turners are doctored ones. Great, maybe Australia should learn to play spin, no?

Access of anything is doctored ones be it bounce or turn.

 

[Jazx]

Bouncy wickets are sporting wickets but turners are doctored ones. Great, maybe Australia should learn to play spin, no?

And why not, if aussies knows well how to play on these tracks then would not have lost so many series here. Isn't it? Or is there any other reason?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India are not in their best form at the moment, but within India they will still be extremely formidable opposition.

For Australia to beat India in India would not be a rollover, it would take a monumental effort.

India has lost 2 Test series at home this Millennium. Even across the last 10 years India has only lost 2 Tests at home. An incredible record.

3 test series this millennium. SA in 2000, OZ in 2004, England in 2012

 

[WengerOut]

3 test series this millennium. SA in 2000, OZ in 2004, England in 2012

Oz in 2004 could have been different ( atleast a draw ) had the Chennai test not been rained out. Aussies getting all out cheaply and Sehwag hammering the bowlers for 150 odd IIRC.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I was talking about the last 30 years as a whole. Lets see which kind of wickets they prepare for this series.

As a long term watcher i can accurately tell the period when the pitch was underprepared. It was between 1993 and 1997. Right about the time India had Azhar/Wadekar combo. Unfortunately India didn't play enough Tests then. England team had some oldies who looked clueless against Kumble. Then SL and Zimbabwe. That was pretty much it. After 1998 pitches were fair. India vs Pakistan, india vs Australia all happened on true surfaces. Then that famous 2001 series in india. Outstanding pitches.

 

[Jazx]

As a long term watcher i can accurately tell the period when the pitch was underprepared. It was between 1993 and 1997. Right about the time India had Azhar/Wadekar combo. Unfortunately India didn't play enough Tests then. England team had some oldies who looked clueless against Kumble. Then SL and Zimbabwe. That was pretty much it. After 1998 pitches were fair. India vs Pakistan, india vs Australia all happened on true surfaces. Then that famous 2001 series in india. Outstanding pitches.

There were many of those pitches under Dhoni's captaincy too. South Africans were also clueless in 90s when they played here and then in reply they prepared a pitch in durban where india got all out on 66. And if i remember correctly there was a test againt australia in early 2000s where they were not able to chase 114 odd in mumbai against harbhajan. Examples are many more but i think you guys don't like my doctored pitch comments. There is nothing wrong in taking advantage of your home conditions.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Australia have a better chance this time. It is because India have declined in Test while Australia have gotten better.

India are still favorites though.

 

[jnaveen1980]

There were many of those pitches under Dhoni's captaincy too. South Africans were also clueless in 90s when they played here and then in reply they prepared a pitch in durban where india got all out on 66. And if i remember correctly there was a test againt australia in early 2000s where they were not able to chase 114 odd in mumbai against harbhajan. Examples are many more but i think you guys don't like my doctored pitch comments. There is nothing wrong in taking advantage of your home conditions.

Red soil pitches have to be prepared precisely. Slight underwatering or overwatering whatever can be a demonic pitch especially with SG balls. India has also been at the receiving end. India has the most variety among pitches. It varies from place to place, season to season. Some swing and seam. Some turns square, some turns slow, Some are flat, Some are bouncy. Even Indians cannot do well on all the Indian pitches unless you are an expert domestic player. And BCCI would want the match to go into day 5 for commerical reasons. Match ending in 2 or 3 days is not good for them. Occasionaly some pitches like that may pop up. Overall there is no deliberate attempt to under prepare pitch like we saw in the mid 90s.

 

[cricketjoshila]

3 test series this millennium. SA in 2000, OZ in 2004, England in 2012

3 test series in 23 years. Still a very good record. I doubt any team can match that.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Access of anything is doctored ones be it bounce or turn.

How much bounce and how much turn is excessive?

 

[Buffet]

I was talking about the last 30 years as a whole. Lets see which kind of wickets they prepare for this series.

You think what happened 25 years back is better predictor of what kind of pitch Indians will give in upcoming Aus series?

I will go by what happening in the last 5 years to predict what kind of pitch we can expect for Aus series.

India is not looking great right now, but It's always hard to beat India in India. It should be a cracking series.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

3 test series in 23 years. Still a very good record. I doubt any team can match that.

Yeah. England and OZ have lost 6 each this millennium I think

 

[Justcrazy]

In India the pitch will turn right from first ball of test , and India will have three frontline spinners.

Australia lack proper spin options , I do not see Australia winning.

 

[Jazx]

You think what happened 25 years back is better predictor of what kind of pitch Indians will give in upcoming Aus series?

I will go by what happening in the last 5 years to predict what kind of pitch we can expect for Aus series.

India is not looking great right now, but It's always hard to beat India in India. It should be a cracking series.

Thats all what i meant that it may be a closer contest this time but nothing like humiliation.

 

[PakLFC]

Pak fans are going by what history suggests. They probably don't have any idea of how our team stands currently.

No Pak fans are well versed in all Cricket affairs. Aus would wallop India down under but at home India will give them a hard time. You don't understand the importance and advantage of playing at home.

 

[Zerotohero]

No Pak fans are well versed in all Cricket affairs. Aus would wallop India down under but at home India will give them a hard time. You don't understand the importance and advantage of playing at home.

Yeah we saw how they walloped last two series in Aus

 

[PakLFC]

Yeah we saw how they walloped last two series in Aus

That Indian side was good. We are talking about the current one that Indian fans here are crying about. This one would get tanked in Australia.

 

[jnaveen1980]

That Indian side was good. We are talking about the current one that Indian fans here are crying about. This one would get tanked in Australia.

Actually that was worse due to plethora of injuries. india had to fill the side with T20 players like Sundar, Thakur, Natrajan. Kohli absent, Bumrah absent, Ashwin absent, Jadeja absent for the Gabba test.

 

[PakLFC]

Actually that was worse due to plethora of injuries. india had to fill the side with T20 players like Sundar, Thakur, Natrajan. Kohli absent, Bumrah absent, Ashwin absent, Jadeja absent for the Gabba test.

If that team in your opinion was worse then this one should do much better! That is what I am saying.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Aus are primed to humiliate the overrated over the hill Indian Shuper Shtars in their own den.

 

[Sidilicious]

If that team in your opinion was worse then this one should do much better! That is what I am saying.

The thing is then we were the underdogs. We had people fighting to prove their worth and fighting to stay alive.

Right now all out superstars are back and are not performing. They have their egos high up and will not out the extra effort. So our batsmen are out form and not hungry. The only ones I know will try or be hungry are Pujara, who is a shadow of his previous self, Iyer, who struggles against bounce, and Pant.

Our bowling will be superior, but lets see.

 

[PakLFC]

Sure India are underdogs but it is not a hopeless case. I think at the moment it is 60/40 In Aussies favour. If players have no hope of winning they may as well cancel the series. Every series is a new one starting from the beginning. With a batsman like Kohli India can never be out rightly dismissed.

 

[RamLakhan]

This series will decide many things. I think the team will remain more or less unchanged (More so because we didn't lose the 2nd test against BD, hence our Top 4 will continue to get more breathing space). If Bumrah & Jadeja return, and if Shami is fit, below will be the likely playing XI.

Rohit
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli
Iyer
Pant
Jadeja
Ashwin
Kuldeep/Axar (if Jadeja plays then they may then at least pick Kuldeep for variety)
Shami
Bumrah

This will be he likely playing XI (at the same time surprisingly most of us would agree to play the same lineup though we hate some players) And the team looks formidable! I don't think India will lose this series (especially if Jadeja return & Bumrah play all matches), at the most they may end up drawing series, that itself would be a good achievement by Australia.

If Australia has to win this series they should absolutely come up with perfect combination, deep planning and execution at the same time (they came close last time, but slipped out & India bounced back). And India should play extremely poor (to the extent of Top 4 failing in every single innings - which they are actually capable of at the moment! But I don't think it will happen, they will come up with a decent innings here & there to at least retain their place in the side!)

More than results, I am interested about how some individuals fare... Will Rohit continue his test form (he is out due to injury and then had some poor form in LOIs, will he forget that he just started to look consistent in tests?) Will Rahul end his career and suddenly get back to form? (If he fails in this series his future would be definitely questioned, but at the same time if he takes inspiration from the previous home series against Australia where he did well he may do reasonably good) Pujara & Kohli have other issues (they were proven solid players in tests compared to Rohit & Kohli, but currently struggling to show any kind of consistency/reliability) Pant may continue to do well (he is the only guy in the team who is not under pressure) Iyer may look confident as an upcoming player looking to cement his place in the team, but he will have tougher challenge against tougher opponent, though its a home series still Australia has the bowlers who can target his weakness.

Also it will be interesting to see if Bumrah & Jadeja look effective after their return. Ashwin & bowlers are under lesser pressure to perform compared to our batsmen due to favorable conditions! Indian bowlers (at home) can worry only if there are more than 2 players in the opponent team who are of the caliber of Joe Root / Chanderpaul / Andy Flower / Younis Khan / Mathew Hayden...

It will be an interesting series nevertheless... Might be a tightly contested one, but certainly not one-sided (for either teams!) Bangladesh did well against India not just because India were poor but also Bangladesh do well at home against every team!

India will be weakened if Rohit, Bumrah & Jadeja all don't play, then Australia will have some chance...

 

[Sam99]

Lol. None Indian batsman scored today except rohit yet Australia is going to loose this match by almost an innings. Jadeja has been difference between both side. People were saying our players would be exposed and bla bla. Those posters & Australia are exposed badly now.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia unusually was a panick stricken side. India made several selection blunders. On top of that India lost some key players. Two debutants, One returning from injury. Australia had a chance to give India a run for their money. But their batting line up looks very shaky other than the two. I do not expect Usman to fail in every match. He just got a peach. Usman was the major run getter in Pakistan. So his performance is extremely crucial for Australia

 

[jnaveen1980]

India has been depending on their lower order for 3 years to bail them out time and again. Fast bowling unit saved their blushes. Post Bumrah injury India lost potency in that area as well. Shami is also aging. Ashwin is also on his last legs. Jadeja often goes missing with injury. Now Pant is the only savior. Iyer is still new.

They did it again !!!

 

[cricketjoshila]

They did it again !!!

When team management is blatantly biased this ought to happen.

KL avgs 34 in 46 tests. He is done. He isn't going to get better. But the TM wont drop him. They made him open in place of Gill.

They played SKY in the middle order instead of Gill. To protect KLs place. If Gill had played at 5 and scored runs. On Iyer's return KL would have to be dropped.

Such nepotism doesn't let a team grow.

 

[Mamoon]

When team management is blatantly biased this ought to happen.

KL avgs 34 in 46 tests. He is done. He isn't going to get better. But the TM wont drop him. They made him open in place of Gill.

They played SKY in the middle order instead of Gill. To protect KLs place. If Gill had played at 5 and scored runs. On Iyer's return KL would have to be dropped.

Such nepotism doesn't let a team grow.

I think KL Rahul is a much better player than his numbers show, but the nepotism factor is certainly there. Who is the driving force? Rohit or someone in BCCI?

It is criminal to select him over Gill.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I think KL Rahul is a much better player than his numbers show, but the nepotism factor is certainly there. Who is the driving force? Rohit or someone in BCCI?

It is criminal to select him over Gill.

They have all been buddies for years. close to a decade. Also bit of karnataka lobbying. Rahul Dravid himself is from that place. A guy who took 8 wickets and 44 runs and won man of the match award. Missed the next 2 tests. Kuldeep that is . SKY coming in as a test batsman is a shocker.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I think KL Rahul is a much better player than his numbers show, but the nepotism factor is certainly there. Who is the driving force? Rohit or someone in BCCI?

It is criminal to select him over Gill.

RAHUL Dravid is his mentor. Ofcourse he is driving this.

Like Kohli was behind Dhawan.

Shardul Thakur has the Mumbai lobby.

Indian team always had some nepotism issues. But this is to another level.

When Ganguly and Dravid came no Mumbai lobby could save the places of Manjrekar or Kambli. But now you see players being kept out just because of nepotism.

 

[Sam99]

Only one side is getting humiliated and that's certainly not india. 4-0 coming.