Page 46 - The Indian EYE 122520

SPORTS DECEMBER 25, 2020 | The Indian Eye 46

INDIa IN aUstraLIa

after sydney humiliation, India look up

to rahane for leadership at mCg

Shane Warne says the hosts will blow away India in the second Test of the four-match series,

beginning December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

Our Bureau ty and it’s a big opportunity for

Melbourne Ajinkya Rahane and I would
say that it’s not just the Indian
n a massive shock, India team that was bundled out for
stumbled to an eight-wick- 36, there are many teams who
Iet loss in the first Test of have been bowled out for low
the series. On the third day of scores but still there is a lot of
the first Test, India was bundled cricket to play, three matches
out for 36 in the second innings are remaining, India can make a
and Australia was given a medi- comeback,” Gambhir told ANI.
ocre target of 90 runs to go 1-0 India had lost the first Test by
ahead. Australia chased down eight wickets against Australia.
the total comfortably inside 21 In the second innings, Kohli’s
overs with eight wickets in hand. team was bowled out for 36
The Virat Kohli-led side which is India’s lowest score in
might have had a 62-run lead Test cricket.
entering the third day of the first Ajinkya Rahane tries to complete his run during the first test match of the When asked about whether
Test, but the side squandered series in Adelaide the team should look to make
the advantage as the batsmen changes in the second Test,
failed to rise to the occasion and Gambhir said: “It’s the call of
Australia made light work of the team management but whoso-
visitors. While Josh Hazelwood ever is given the opportunity it
scalped five wickets, Pat Cum- should be given with trust and
mins took four. hope so that it is beneficial in
Now, former Australia spin- the long term.”
ner Shane Warne has said that
the hosts will blow away India in Changes in the side
the upcoming second Test of the On Thursday, India named
four-match series, beginning their playing XI for the second
December 26 at the Melbourne Test. The visitors made four
Cricket Ground (MCG). changes as Shubman Gill comes
Skipper Virat Kohli would in for Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra
not be there for the visitors for Jadeja for Virat Kohli, Rishabh
the remaining three Tests as he Pant for Wriddhiman Saha, and
has gone back home after be- Virat Kohli plays a shot during the first test match at Adelaide Oval Mohammed Siraj for Moham-
ing granted paternity leave by mad Shami. Gill and Siraj are
the BCCI. “I think Australia is the first Test against Australia. A big opportunity set to make their debut in the

probably going to blow them Shami was hit on the arm by a But former India batsman Gau- red-ball game.
away. Having said that, they bouncer bowled by Pat Cum- tam Gambhir on Thursday said Ahead of the second Test
have some class players to come mins in the second innings. that Virat Kohli’s absence will against Australia, former chief
in like KL Rahul. Young Gill “Shami is a huge loss as well. be a big opportunity for Ajinkya selector Krishnamachari Srik-
will come in. Rahane is a class He’s such a quality bowler. And Rahane to step up in the four- kanth expressed his displeasure
act. We know what Pujara can if you look at bowlers for the match Test series against Aus- with Indian team management’s
do,” Fox Cricket quoted Warne Melbourne conditions -- drop tralia. decision of not picking KL Ra-
as saying. in pitches -- Shami hits the seam “In a team sport, one or hul for the Boxing Day Test at
India will also be without and stands it up and bowls a two players don’t matter. If one Melbourne Cricket Ground.
pacer Mohammad Shami as good length and straight,” said player is coming back so some- Taking to Twitter Srikkanth
the bowler fractured his arm in Warne. one else will get the opportuni- Continued on next page... >>

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