When the confident Australian team will step onto the field at M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore tomorrow for the second test against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they will try to win it. But a path to series victory won’t be a cakewalk for Kangaroo. They beat India in a humiliating manner at Pune, but Kohli and Co. are adept at bouncing back at the right time.
India vs Australia 2017
Moreover, the pitch in Bengaluru is certainly not going to be like the one that we witnessed in Pune. Indian skipper Virat Kohli is a fighter. He is in good touch but unfortunately could make just 13 runs in Pune test. Indian skipper got 4 centuries in his last 8 tests. The statistics speaks itself.
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Apart from his own determination to score big this Saturday, he will surely infuse a fighting spirit in his team to counterattack Kangaroo. Team India is set to play competitive cricket at the second test. For Australia, Smith and Renshaw could once again prove crucial for the team. Also, Steve O’Keefe can’t be a one match wonder if the Aussies are seriously contemplating to win the series.
Is everything right with team combination?
In the last test at Pune, Umesh Yadav bowled well. But even after playing so many tests, Ishant Sharma’s performance has been pretty ordinary. He got just 215 wickets in his 75-test career at a bowling average of 37 and strike rate of 67. He might have bowled outstandingly in overseas tours, but considering his current form at home – Bhuveneshwar Kumar should replace him.
Indian fans will also have lots of expectations from Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. The spin duo bowled well at Pune, but couldn’t perform well with the bat. They need to understand their responsibility as all-rounders and should bat as per the team’s need whenever such situations arise.
Karun Nair’s inclusion could be a trump card. He could be opted in place of Rahane or Jayant Yadav. But India’s chief coach, Anil Kumble has stated that dropping Rahane is out of question so Kohli needs to select other options to make sure that Karun Nair is included at this test match. His inclusion will definitely give boost to the Indian batting at number six or seven.
Where India needs to improve?
Kohli needs to tighten team’s fielding. Indian team dropped four catching opportunities of the Aussie captain Steve Smith at Pune in the second innings which definitely proved extremely costly to the hosts.
Statistics says India dropped around 23 catches in the last 13 test matches that they played at home. The figure is shocking in itself. How can a team perform so lackadaisically when most of the players are so young and swift?
Another area that requires improvement is DRS. Kohli needs to use DRS chances in a judicious manner. At Pune, too many DRS decisions went to opponent’s favor due to India’s imprudent call.
Probable XI (Both Teams)
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper), Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jayant Yadav and A Rahane.
Australia: Steve Smith (Captain), D Warner, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Mitch Marsh, Mathew Wade, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, J Hazlewood and N Lyon.
Tags: Australia, Bangalore, Bengaluru, India, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Preview, Steve Smith, Test Match, Virat Kohli
