Indian bowlers have bowled brilliantly against Australian batsmen in the first two Tests of the series, and more so against their star batsmen in Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. The right-handed duo was touted to be the biggest challenge for the tourists and by far in the series, Indians have been able to dismiss Smith quite cheaply while Labuschagne has not been allowed to run away with the game.
Indian pacers and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have been able to forge tactics that have been consistent and they have earned praises from all quarters but they would certainly enjoy the plaudits from batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar who has deciphered the tactics adopted by the Indian side.
In the first Test at Adelaide, Smith was deceived by an arm ball bowled with a flatter trajectory and Smith was standing deep in the crease in hope of turn to him. In a sign of perfect setup, Ashwin got Smith flicking to Pujara at the leg slip tp ball that turned from the line of stumps and Tendulkar has commended the control of Ashwin to dominate Smith's technique in the first two Tests.
Tendulkar also spoke very highly of Indian stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane for performing the dual role of leading the side on the field and the batting performance on the back fo a splendid century. Tendulkar said that Rahane was not lagging in aggressive intent, but he was also cautious and reasonable in his approach and batted for a long period of time to wear the Australian bowler down.
“I thought Ajinkya batted brilliantly. He was calm, relaxed and composed. He had aggressive intent, but aggression was rightly balanced by calmness and surety. So he did not miss opportunities when a boundary ball was there. And when one had to be patient, he was patient. The intent was very good. I felt this was a brilliant performance by our team, the manner in which our team was able to play and the way Ajinkya led the team. Also, if you look at senior cricketers and their contribution, it has been good. People shouldn't get into comparisons with Virat. Ajinkya has [a] different personality. His intent was aggressive. I would like to remind everyone that they are both Indians and they both play for India, so no individuals come above India. Team and country is above everything else,” Tendulkar said.
The win at the MCG was earned on the back of strong performances from the debuting duo of Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj, and Tendulkar noted that both of them looked ready for the Test arena. He said that neither of them showed any signs of playing their first matches.
He commended Gill for his confidence on debut and also his ability to play good shots against quality short-pitched bowling by Australian pacers."Shubman looked confident and comfortable," Tendulkar said. "He played some good shots off the short-pitched stuff that the Australians bowled.”
For Siraj, Tendulkar said that the pacer was on the money from his very first over, and at the same time showed composure to set up batsman over a period of time. Siraj bowled his heart out in both innings, and the words of praise from Tendulkar would make him feel a lot sweeter about his Test debut.
"Let's also not forget how Siraj has bowled. It did not appear to me that he was playing his first Test match. The way he bowled his first over and then built it up gradually, but never did it look that he was playing his first match. The plans were well thought out. He executed it well. Both debutants were comfortable in the execution of their plans,” Tendulkar said of the pacer from Hyderabad.
India have had to face multiple crises of injury to star players, and all except Jasprit Bumrah among the first-choice pacers of the team have gone back to India after sustaining injuries. India will look to keep the momentum going at the SCG, but they will have their task cut out with David Warner returning at the top of the order for Australia, while India will be playing two rookies in the pace department.
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