Australia’s Mitchell Starc, left, celebrates after taking the wicket of India’s Virat Kohli at The Oval, London
| Photo Credit: AP
After India’s ICC World Test Championship ultimate loss to Australia at The Oval, legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh raised questions over extremely spin-friendly pitches in India, and the way it impacts India’s preparation for large matches, particularly in pace-friendly situations.
After their ICC World Test Championship title win in opposition to India within the ultimate by 209 runs at The Oval, Australia made historical past by changing into the first-ever crew to clinch all main ICC trophies.
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India was bundled out at 234 in 63.3 overs whereas chasing 444, with Mohammad Shami because the final participant standing with a rating of 13(8)*.
Harbhajan mentioned that by ending Test matches inside simply three days on spin-friendly Indian pitches, India can’t put together itself absolutely for large clashes and they should work arduous for all 5 days, making it their behavior.
“You cannot give yourself that fake confidence after playing and winning matches on bad pitches where the ball starts spinning from ball one. You will have to develop a habit of working hard for five days. Only then you will find yourself prepared better for these big matches. Fast bowlers do not get to bowl much on these pitches, spinners are used right from the first over. There are a lot of things we should rectify,” mentioned Harbhajan on Star Sports after the match.
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In the just lately concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in opposition to Australia at residence earlier this 12 months, wickets have been extraordinarily spin pleasant and three out of 4 Tests resulted in three days. Spinners dominated the collection closely, with Ravichandran Ashwin (25 wickets), Ravindra Jadeja (22 wickets) and Nathan Lyon (22 wickets) being the highest wicket-takers.
Coming to the ICC World Test Championship match, India began Day 5, at 164/3, with Virat Kohli (44*) and Ajinkya Rahane (20*) unbeaten on the crease. However, a game-changing over by Scott Boland, which noticed him entice Virat for 49 and Ravindra Jadeja for a duck, began India’s downfall.
Rahane was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 46 whereas Srikar Bharat (23) was dismissed by Nathan Lyon. The Indian batting line-up didn’t put up a combat, bundling out for 234 runs in 63.3 overs handy Australia the win.
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Lyon was the decide of the bowlers for Australia, taking 4/41. Boland took 3/46 whereas Starc bought two wickets. Skipper Pat Cummins bought one wicket. On Day 4, India ended at 164/3, with Virat Kohli (44*) and Ajinkya Rahane (20*) unbeaten on the crease. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill (18) gave the crew a brisk begin with a 41-run opening stand, however a controversial catch by Cameron Green on Boland’s supply ended the partnership.
A 51-run stand between Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara helped India carry ahead the chase with attacking intent. But Lyon dismissed Rohit for 43 and Cummins eliminated Pujara for 27 to cut back India to 93/3. From that level on, Rahane and Virat fashioned a 71-run stand to finish the fourth day strongly.
Australia declared their innings at 270/8, gaining a lead of 443 runs. Australia was restricted to 24/2 at one level, however Marnus Labuschagne (41) and Steve Smith (34) introduced again Australia into the sport. Later, contributions from middle-order/lower-middle-order gamers like Cameron Green (25), a half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey (60*) and his 93-run stand with Mitchell Starc (41) elevated Australia’s lead over India.
Ravindra Jadeja was the decide of the bowlers for India, taking 3/58. Umesh Yadav (2/54) and Mohammed Shami (2/39) bought two wickets every whereas Mohammed Siraj bought one scalp. In their first innings, India was bundled out for 296 runs. India trailed Australia by 173 runs, who had scored 469 runs of their first innings.
India’s prime order failed of their first innings too. Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (13), Cheteshwar Pujara (14) and Virat Kohli (14) didn’t submit huge scores. But contributions from comeback man Ajinkya Rahane (89 in 129 balls, 11 fours and 1 six), Shardul Thakur (51 in 109 balls with 6 fours) and Ravindra Jadeja (48 in 51 balls with 7 fours and 1 six) helped India placed on a combat after being restricted to 71/4.
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Pat Cummins (3/83), Nathan Lyon (2/19), Cameron Green (2/44), Scott Boland (2/59) and Mitchell Starc (2/71) have been among the many wickets for Australia. Australia’s 469 runs within the first innings have been powered largely by centuries from Travis Head (163 in 174 balls, 25 fours and 1 six), and Steve Smith (121 in 268 balls, 19 fours). David Warner (43) and Marnus Labuschagne (26) made notable contributions, however Australia was diminished to 76/3.
From that level, Head and Smith attacked Indian bowlers, hitting their centuries. Later within the innings, Alex Carey additionally supplied some much-needed additional runs with a knock of 48. Siraj (4/108) was the main bowler for India within the first innings. Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami bought two wickets whereas Jadeja bought one.
Travis Head was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his attacking 163 runs.
