Page 40 - The Indian EYE 122024

SPORTS DECEMBER 20, 2024 | The Indian Eye 40

INDIA TEAM DOWN UNDER

As the series moves to Brisbane, former

greats see a tight contest between bat and ball

Matthew Hayden urges the Indian batters to bat “better and for time” during

the third Test; David Warner stresses the importance of the top Australian order

delivering big runs, given the “relentless” nature of the Indian bowling attack

OUR BUREAU

Brisbane
fter a disappointing batting
performance against the pink-
Aball at Adelaide, Team India
would be desperate for big runs and
a series lead-providing win against
Aussies at Brisbane. The third Test of
the series is set to begin on December
14 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
Following a humiliating loss to
the visitors by 295 runs at Perth’s
Optus Stadium, which saw Jasprit
Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and
Yashasvi Jaiswal deliver standout
contributions, the hosts bounced
back big time as top bowling spells
from red-ball magicians Mitchell
Starc and Pat Cummins and a count-
er-attacking ton from Travis Head
helped them flatten India by 10 wick-
ets, chasing down an extremely easy
target of 19 runs.
Though India delivered a fine
performance at Perth with 487/6 de-
clared in the second innings thanks
to exploits from KL Rahul, Yashasvi
Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, Team In-
dia’s batting has largely looked list- The hosts suffered a humiliating loss to the visitors by 295 runs at Perth’s Optus Stadium, which saw Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and
less since the start of their home Test
season against Bangladesh and New Yashasvi Jaiswal deliver standout contributions (ANI)
Zealand.
In seven Tests and 14 innings Virat Kohli (315 runs in seven Tests “India must bat better, they “Brisbane, different ball game!
since the start of Test season against at an average of 26.25, with a century must bat for time. They must bat a It is a home game, but it is actually a
Bangladesh, India has managed to- and fifty in 14 innings) has been sad- day of test match cricket. Under a very good game for India as well be-
tals of 250-plus only four times. They dening to see for the fans. day, unacceptable. Has to be in that cause they have got memories of the
have been skittled out for less than Now, former Australian crick- 350 zone. India should bat first even last time they encountered Australia
200 runs seven times. Only twice In- eter Matthew Hayden urged the if there are challenging conditions,” in the BGT,” Hayden signed off.
dia have gone on to score above 300, Indian batters to bat “better and said Hayden. As Australia gears up for the
a 462-all out in the first Test against for time” during the third Brisbane Hayden also said that the match third Test of the Border-Gavaskar
New Zealand and at Perth during Test against Australia starting from at Brisbane would be a good one for Trophy against India, former Aussie
the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar December 14 onwards. Speaking India since they have the good mem- opener David Warner has stressed
Trophy. to Star Sports, Hayden urged India ories at this venue from 2021, where the importance of the top order deliv-
Amid this poor collective batting to bat better and put more time on an inexperienced India thumped ering big runs, given the “relentless”
performance, the downfall of legend- crease. He also said that they must Aussies by three wickets in 2021 to nature of the Indian bowling attack
ary names like Rohit Sharma (142 be chasing 350 runs or more and bat secure the series by 2-1 and hand when they operate in partnerships.
runs in six Tests and 12 innings at an first even when conditions are chal- Australia their first loss in over 32 Speaking to the media on
average of 11.83 with one fifty) and lenging. years at the venue. Continued on next page... >>

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