Australia’s Usman Khawaja heads back to the dugout after a rain interruptiom at The Gabba in Brisbane. (Photo by David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)
BRISBANE: Judging from the little play that was possible on Day One of the third Test, India would have hoped for a better effort from their pacers. The big surprise, though, came at the toss as Rohit Sharma called right again and opted to field first.
No doubt, the batting unit wears a fragile look and that might have played a big part in the decision. First-innings top-order collapses have been a regular feature for India on this tour. The batting concerns also showed in the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja in place of Ravichandran Ashwin in the XI.
On the face of it, the decision seems a cautious one. The overcast conditions and threat of impending rain no doubt would have influenced the team management, but fielding first brings with it its own set of concerns. First off, it puts the new-ball bowlers under immediate pressure. It showed in Mohammed Siraj’s unimpressive first spell as the Australian crowd continued its booing whenever he came on.
This was the first time since 2014 that India have bowled first in an away Test. The last time India fielded first after winning the toss in Australia also came at the Gabba, back in 2003 under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy.
India would have been disappointed with what they discovered once proceedings began. There wasn’t much swing on offer and the spongy bounce ensured Australia’s openers were content to sit back. It is only when the sun shines that the pitch is expected to get faster. The pacers were also guilty of not bowling a bit fuller, near the 5m mark, to induce the batters forward.
When the first rain delay came 5.3 overs in, Australia were 19/0, with both Khawaja and McSweeney content to bide their time. In that period, 58% of India’s deliveries were short. Once play resumed, India seemed to have got the hang of it.
Akash Deep, who as expected replaced Harshit Rana, looked penetrative, bowling fuller and getting a hint of away swing. Bumrah got Khawaja to square up a few times. The signs were promising when the second, and final, rain break came, with Australia 28/0 in 13.2 overs.
The forecast isn’t all that optimistic for Sunday either, but if the openers can negotiate the morning session safely on Day Two, Australia can start thinking big. It is important for India to make the most of the new ball from here on.
Belgium
