Australia 2-0 India: India can only blame themselves

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  • Downward spiral: India have been overly reliant on Virat Kohli, who scored back-to-back centuries to keep his side in the match.

    India squandered a great chance to go 1-0 ahead at the Adelaide Oval, perhaps they were over reliant on skipper Virat Kohli, who ended up scoring back-to-back centuries. In almost sub-continental conditions, India succumbed to spin bowling. Nathan Lyon’s deliveries were threatening and deadly with Indian batsmen frequently misjudging the extra bounce. Lyon ended up claiming a 12-for and the Man of the Match award.

    BCCI’s decision to snub DRS could have and may hurt India during the course of the entire tour. At a crucial point in the second Innings, when India were cruising towards the target, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane were given out. But needing 68 off 15 overs with 5 wickets in hand, India should have finished with ease instead they collapsed after Kohli’s careless shot was caught in the deep.

    The first Test was deemed the perfect Test – firstly, for all the emotional tributes to Phil Hughes, back-to-back centuries by two outstanding players, Murali Vijay dismissed at 99, David Warner’s altercation with Kohli and Dhawan, all those wrong umpiring decisions, injury to Michael Clarke and that thrilling final day. There were significant changes too, Australia found a new leader in Steven Smith after Clarke was ruled out for the remainder of the tour, while MS Dhoni recovered on time to lead India in the second Test.

    Dhoni lauded Kohli’s captaincy and urged that the intensity and aggressive approach will remain the same. But there was a huge concern. None of the Indian players had ever played a Test at the Gabba, including Dhoni. The last time India played here was back in December 2003, when a team led by skipper Sourav Ganguly salvaged a historic draw. Australia have won 4 out of 5 matches against India at the Gabba since November 1947.

    The Gabba is well known for its bouncy and pacey track as bowlers can inflict maximum damage during early sessions. But that wasn’t the case on Day 1 as India went on to score 311/4. India became the first overseas team to score 300+ in 54 years and the record for the highest total on the opening day was 359/7 by West Indies in 1960. Moreover, India went on to score 408 in the 1st Innings, just 1 run shy of their first Innings total in 2003. Back then, India also became the first overseas team to take a 1st Innings lead after Australia collapsed to 323.

    There was a slight hint that history would repeat itself after Murali Vijay scored 144, the last Indian batsman to score a hundred at the Gabba was Ganguly, also made exactly 144. Australia were shaky in reply but new skipper Smith scored a patient 133, his second ton in the series, while Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52) frustrated Indian bowlers further. Overall, the Aussie tail-enders added 195 and led India by 97 runs on Day 3.

    Just 5 minutes before the start of play on Day 4, Shikhar Dhawan was unfit to bat after being hit on his wrist during net sessions. India blamed the injury on poor practice pitches and further vented their frustration on the lack of training facilities at the ground. All was not well in the dressing room and that reflected on the field as well. India went from 71/1 to 87/5 after Johnson ripped through India’s top-order. Dhawan returned and fought hard for his 50, his first in 6 innings, but was out at 81 and India 224, setting a target of 128.

    Australia lost 6 wickets chasing, only the fourth time they had lost half their side while chasing a target under 150. Australia extended their record to 26 straight wins at the Gabba, the third longest streak without a loss at a ground. The last time they suffered defeat was against West Indies back in 1988.

    Rise of Murali Vijay
     

    Vijay never really cemented his place in the Test squad since making his debut back in 2008. After a dismal performance in West Indies in 2011, he was eventually dropped for tours to England and Australia. Vijay took 11 innings to score his first Test century against Australia in October 2010, which India won by 7 wickets. It took him yet another 11 innings and nearly 3 years to score his next ton (167), again against Australia on March 2013. Vijay went on to score back-to-back hundreds (153) as India won the home series 4-0.

    Following his success against Australia, Vijay was called up to join the squad in South Africa and New Zealand during December 2013 and February 2014. However, during this period he managed to score only 196 runs in 8 innings at an average of 24.50 with 97 being his highest against the Proteas. Vijay was eventually selected for the tour of England this year and posted the highest individual score by an Indian (146), Ajinkya Rahane was the only other batsmen with a century at Lords.

    India at MCG and SCG

    The Boxing Day Test at the MCG will be India’s 12th Test at this historic venue. Since January 1948, India have won 2, lost 8 and drawn 1 so far. India also achieved their first win in Australia back in December 1977, all thanks to Bhagwath Chandrasekhar’s match-winning figures of 12 for 104. The picture is no different at the SCG as India’s record reads – P8 W1 L4 D3.

    It will be a monumental task for Dhoni’s young guns to draw the series from here on but having come so close in the first two Tests, India have to pounce on every opportunity thrown at them. 

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