Australia's Tour Of India

The Indian team, flying high after their dominating victories against Windies and Sri Lanka, entertained a make-do Australian team at home. A five-match, riveting procession unfolded in front of us, starting September 17^th and concluded on the 1^st of October. 

The Indian team clinched the series resoundingly, giving the Kangaroos a 4-1 battering. Here are some of the taking points to round off the stiff competition between bat and ball:

·         THE PANDYA PANDORA BOX

The hunt for a long lost all rounder in the Indian team seems to have been halted by Hardik Pandya. From a lanky, rash lad to a mature cricketer Pandya has evolved in every aspect of his cricket. The rush of young blood mixed with subtlety of wisdom, Hardik has shown he has what it takes to be at the top. The intense faith the management has put in him is yielding results; with him even contesting for the up-for-grabs no. 4 batting position in the team. A deserved Man of the Series award for scoring 222 runs and scalping 6 prized wickets in the series seem reward enough for him.

Add to this blistering performance, a two wicket haul in the 1st ODI.

·         AN ‘OPEN’ PROBLEM

This is probably a misnomer, considering Virat Kohli would be delighted to have such a headache. With Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, the Indian team boast of three high class opening batsmen in the world currently.

 “Form is temporary, class is permanent.” 

No other quote fits Rohit better, who notched up 296 runs in the series, ending as the highest run getter. While for Rahane, he’s made hay while the sun shone, scoring 244 runs in the process. Considering his immense talent and class, this series should be testament enough to cement his place in the team, maybe as number 4, for when Shikhar returns.

An in-form Ajinkya Rahane raises his bat for a half century.

·         THE ‘SPIN’-UNDRUM

With Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin rested yet again, the spin department was spearheaded by two wrist spinners in tandem, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. What seemed like a gamble at the start, it sure ended like a master-stroke for the Indian team as the two young lads tormented the Oz batsmen throughout. Chahal made a mockery of Glenn Maxwell, picking his wicket 3 times in the 3 matches Glenn played. And Kuldeep, the left arm chinaman showed his worth, grabbing a hatrick and announcing his presence on the world cricket stage.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

·        WHAT’S THE WAY? MAHI-WAY!

He may not be that captain, but M.S. Dhoni is still very much the leader we need. From lightening fast stumpings, to rolling back the years to a long-haired Dhoni, he’s still the guru. The availability of an MS Dhoni inside the 30-yard circle gives Kohli the privilege to place himself at the more important fielding positions (long-on, deep mid wicket, long -off) in the end overs. His game-finishing abilities have been scrutinized for quite some time but he’s one who responds with the willow. A masterfully constructed innings in the 1^st ODI silenced those critics once and for all. If this man keeps his going, his World Cup spot is undisturbed.

·        THE AUS'TRIO'LIA PREDICAMENT

The over-dependence of the Australian batting order on the trio of David Warner, Steven Smith and Aaron Finch seems to be giving the Aussies more problems than answers. A match where these three failed to score, it did not look like the Australian team were up for much of a fight. The middle order of Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Matthew Wade is misfiring on all cylinders. The only bright spot seems to be Marcus Stoinis, who seems like an able replacement for someone like a Shane Watson.

A lot to ponder for the Oz think tank.

With less than a year to go the ICC Cricket World Cup in England, this was a litmus test for both the teams, a test where India seem to have passed and regained the coveted number one position in the ODI team rankings.

Things have gradually fallen into place for them. With four quality seam bowlers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Mohd. Shami, the Indian bowling line-up never looked more threatening. With Ashwin and Jadeja in ranks, a more than able backup spinning duo has stolen the limelight. A slight worry can be the dependence on Rohit, Kohli and Dhawan/Rahane in the batting department, which leads to another spot of bother: the number four batting position; with more than 10 players having been tried in that spot over the last year. Manish Pandey looks an able candidate but has failed to impress,  Rahane fits well, given his impeccable form at the moment.
 

A  well deserved number one spot.

Australia, however, look a shadow of the side that won the world cup last time around; a weak middle order their biggest worry and the over-dependence on their top 3 batsmen. A potent bowling attack with Patrick Cummins, Mark Richardson and Mitchell Starc and Nathan Coulter-Nile looks good to go in the English conditions. However, lack of a quality spinner may haunt them. Adam Zampa seems under-confident and Ashton Agar is inconsistent. Only time will tell whether the Kangaroos can “bounce” back and showcase the true Aussie spirit.


Editing credits: Vinay Lokanathan.