Pushed to a corner like never before, India face their biggest challenge at home when they clash with New Zealand in the must-win third Test as they are left to salvage pride and fight a perception about their diminishing ability to negotiate quality spin attack.
India could be treading a thin line between bravado and desperation while going for the jugular on a rank turner in the final game of the series, starting Friday.
After losing their first home series in 12 years, India need to win the Wankhede Test to remain in contention for a slot in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
With six Tests remaining in the 2023-25 cycle, two-time runner-up India will need to win at least four more to have another crack at the WTC trophy.
A turner in Pune exposed the soft underbelly of Indian batters’ technique against slow bowling but as per the current team’s philosophy, it has decided to take the bull by its horns by asking for a turner where the ball might turn at right angles from first hour. Another three-day finish is on the cards.
Calling 20 odd slow bowlers for net practice, cancelling optional sessions and drawing white lines to understand the lines and gauge the length are signs of panic being set among rank and file after being 0-2 down.
Regardless of their remarkable fightback in the second innings of the opening Test, the abysmal show from India’s famed batters against quality seam in Bengaluru and an abject surrender against spin have set in motion the beginning of the end for some of India’s superstars.
The totals of 46, 156 and 245 do paint a sorry picture before Rohit’s team embarks on a more challenging conditions in Australia.
Calling 20 odd slow bowlers for net practice, cancelling optional sessions and drawing white lines to understand the lines and gauge the length are signs of panic being set among rank and file after being 0-2 down.
Regardless of their remarkable fightback in the second innings of the opening Test, the abysmal show from India’s famed batters against quality seam in Bengaluru and an abject surrender against spin have set in motion the beginning of the end for some of India’s superstars.
The totals of 46, 156 and 245 do paint a sorry picture before Rohit’s team embarks on a more challenging conditions in Australia.
brain fade moment but India’s batting superstar can’t deny that the pressure is steadily mounting on him to produce big returns as a big transition period looms large on the Test side.
Amid all the odds stacked up against them, India’s batters will also face a stern challenge on what has been in making, a spin-friendly pitch here at the Wankhede Stadium.
Ashwin and Jadeja after many years haven’t looked menacing even on home soil. It won’t be surprising if Axar Patel plays for India as his bowling is tailor-made for turners where batters struggle to decide whether to come forward or rock back.
While the venue’s location — next to the Arabian Sea — ensures there is breeze in the morning and early assistance to the fast bowlers, the pitch is expected to play in favour of the spinners sooner than later with its red soil providing plenty of bounce.
The ploy might work for India like it did against Australia in 2004 when Murali Kartik wreaked havoc. It was Gambhir’s Test debut 20 years back and he wouldn’t mind an encore.
Teams (from):
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy.
Match Starts 09:30 AM IST.
