NEW DELHI: Four of India’s three innings so far in the two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia folded up for less than 200. If it wasn’t for Jasprit Bumrah‘s brilliance in Perth, the visitors could have been 2-nil down and staring down the barrel. But the series remains evenly poised at 1-1, with a battle at the Gabba next on the BGT roster.
Things have looked up for Australia since the 295-run mauling they got in Perth. The hosts turned the series on its ‘Head’ with an equally dominating 10-wicket win inside three days of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, leaving India to find answers to their batting woes and inconsistent support for Bumrah.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
On that note, chief coach Gautam Gambhir and his assistants have been scratching their heads over the past five days on various counts. Should Rohit Sharma be brought back up to open? The need for batters to stitch significant partnerships. How to create room in the eleven for another specialist pacer? Should Ashwin be the choice of spinner or Washington Sundar, maybe Ravidra Jadeja?
Timesofindia.com got in touch with former chief selector of the BCCI and ex-India spinner Sunil Joshi to know his take from his experience as a Test player on the way forward for Team India.
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Excerpts…
How would you sum up India’s pink-ball show in Adelaide?
I think it’s very tough when you go and suddenly play a pink-ball Test when you have played it a few years back and after that you haven’t played. All said and done, no matter how much you practice in the net sessions, it’s always different and difficult to bat in a (pink-ball) match…A couple of partnerships could have added a bit more. For me at this point of time, the series is very well poised.
If you have to point out one thing that concerns you the most about Team India, what would it be?
Moving forward, my only concern would be Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness because we saw him having a niggle in the Adelaide Test. Given that scenario, (it’s important) how well the Indian think tank is going to utilise Jasprit Bumrah for all (remaining) Test matches.
Among the un-utilised bowling resources in the squad, who do you think can give Bumrah the kind of support he needs?
India can always look at Prasidh Krishna who is a very good fast bowler and tall as well, and he played the Duleep Trophy matches with full fitness and everything. So that’s an option.
India’s over dependence on Jasprit Bumrah visible in Adelaide
A big talking point heading into the third Test is whether Rohit will return as an opener after batting in the middle order in Adelaide…
Looking at the combination, I think Rohit should open in my opinion. If Rohit has done well in a position where he took the challenge on from ball one, which is opening, be it the white ball, pink ball or red ball, he will be at his best there — a leader taking on their best bowlers head on. But again, it’s my view. It all depends on what happens in team discussions and what is the team’s strategy.
Would pushing Rahul down the order again be unfair to him, considering he rediscovered his form while opening in Australia?
In the last 3 to 5 years, Rahul has batted in positions 1 to 6 across the globe, against all the teams. You give him a role, and he has fulfilled his responsibilities in each and every role. Again, that is something Gautam Gambhir’s think-tank and captain Rohit will have to look at. If someone has to score runs, whether it is Rohit, Virat, Rahul, Yashasvi or Pant, you need character. Everyone should show that and play hard cricket. Australia Down Under is hard cricket. We need to be pumped up.
Talking about Rohit’s poor form, Cheteshwar Pujara pointed out a technical flaw, where he is getting out lbw or bowled from the same spot because of his foot movement…
That’s his view. When the ball spins, we struggle. When the ball swings, we struggle. Finally the character has to come out to negotiate swing and spin — whether you bat from the crease or you bat outside the crease. We need character, we need guts and gumption. I know it’s going to be tough, even the previous two series were tough; but people came out with character and showed how they took the blow on the chest. So more than the skill here, we need guts and gumption, and strong character…Whether it is pace, spin, seam, swing, you need the biggest character to come out and bat well. Someone like KL Rahul, he batted well. We need that sort of character. Virat Kohli may come out and do that (score a hundred like Perth) again.
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How much can an experienced spinner like Ravichandran Ashwin come into play at the Gabba, or should India try someone like Washington Sundar who did well in an all-rounder’s role during India’s win at the same venue in 2021?
Although Ashwin didn’t bowl much in the pink-ball Test, he bowled well. Moving forward, Ashwin could be a key factor in Gabba because of the bounce and (his) height. Again, nothing to take away from Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja. It depends on what combination (the team wants). Finally, the think-tank would look at the combination…like did Travis Head play Ashwin very well (in Adelaide)? Has Head struggled against Washington or Jadeja (in the past)? I am sure Gautam and his team would look into it. But given a choice, I would go with Ashwin, because it’s a big boundary, Ashwin has more experience and better variety. Of course, Washington has bowled very well in the last few series; but given the scenario, mental toughness and everything, I would go with Ashwin.
Is there a chance of an experimental move like trying to send Nitish Kumar Reddy a spot or two up the order because he has been batting well and aggressively?
I think we all need to give time to someone who has just started his Test career. We shouldn’t jump just because he had decent outings in batting. It doesn’t mean that he will be able to take that pressure every time. The experienced batters should take that pressure, not a youngster.
