The Indian bowling unit faltered in the Adelaide test against Australia, which was a day-night affair and played with a pink ball. After dreaming of the stars following the conclusion of Perth test, the hosts gave them a reality check with their rich experience in the pink ball.
After India got all-out for 180, they were expected to put Australia under pressure under the floodlights. However, the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana failed to live up to the promise and could take only a solitary wicket after the end of the first day.
Bumrah induced an edge off Usman Khawaja, which seamed away after pitching and was caught at the slips. Thereafter, their wayward lengths resulted in Australia leaving out many balls and steering comfortably. As per ESPNcricinfo, 80 off the first 198 deliveries bowled on the first day was left out by the Australian batters, which made it easy for them to counter the swing on offer.
Interestingly, only Bumrah had an experience of playing a pink-ball test, while Siraj and Rana were making their day-night test debut. Now, with the Adelaide test in the past, it’s a chance for India to bounce back stronger in Gabba, which will be played with a red-ball. The side will certainly take confidence from breaching the Gabba fortress in their last tour in 2020-21.
It is expected that the Rohit Sharma-led side might include Akash Deep in place of Rana in the third test. Akash has done well in five tests so far, securing 10 wickets at an average of 25.80. He has displayed his ability to swing the ball and create optimum pressure when in proper rhythm. Akash also has more experience of first-class cricket than Rana, which might favor him heading into the next test.
Moreover, it is unlikely that the team might persist with Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned with only a solitary wicket and scored 29 runs. The right-arm spinner, Washington Sundar, who did well in the Gabba test in the 2020-21 tour and is in good form might return to the XI.
Probable Indian bowling line-up: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep
Simon Katich lauds Indian stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah’s use of pacers in Perth Test
Former Australian batter Simon Katich praised Jasprit Bumrah for his bowling changes and aggressive mindset to pick wickets in the Perth Test. Bumrah acted as the stand-in captain for the side and picked a total of eight wickets, while leading them to a 295-run victory.
However, Rohit Sharma returned in the Adelaide test, and India were handed a 10-wicket loss. Here’s what Katich said on ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast:
“When you compare the two results, obviously, in Perth, Rohit Sharma missed out. And I thought Bumrah’s captaincy, and particularly, the use of his bowlers in the length that they bowled, was far superior to what we saw in Adelaide.”
FAQs
Who is the top wicket-taker in BGT 2024-25?
Jasprit Bumrah – 12 wickets
What is the track record of Mohammed Siraj in Australia?
28 wickets in 9 games
