Adelaide: The euphoria of the massive 295-run victory at Perth was blown away in just 2 days and a session in the pink ball Test match at Adelaide.
The Indian batters cut a sorry figure in the day-night Test, following up a total of 180 in the first innings with 175 in the second to hand Australia a series-levelling 10-wicket win on Sunday.
Considering India’s 150 all out in the first innings at Perth, India have thus failed to reach 200 in three of the four times they have batted in the series so far. The fact that rookie allrounder Nitish Reddy top-scored in all those three sub-200 innings with efforts of 42, 41 and 42, respectively, underlines the degree of discomfort India’s once-feared batting line-up has faced Down Under.
Senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to make their presence felt when the team needed their experience.
Rohit, returning to the team after missing the opening Test due to the birth of his second child, looked all at sea in managing a 23-ball 3 and a 15-ball 6 batting at No. 6. Kohli’s returns in Adelaide were a meagre 7 and 11, as he failed to adapt to the extra bounce on Australian pitches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal disappointed after his match-turning 161 in the second innings at Perth, managing 0 and 24, Shubman Gill (31 and 28) was exposed by incoming deliveries after promising starts in both innings, Rishabh Pant’s potentially game-changing knocks didn’t materialise.
No wonder fans were left extremely disappointed and gave vent to their feelings on social media.
Some of them lamented the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara in the team, recalling his heroic efforts in India’s 2018-19 and 2020-21 series wins in Australia.
“This is why India needs players like Pujara in Test cricket. He alone faced 450 balls at this very venue in 2018,” pointed out one user, referring to Pujara’s 123 and 71 in the December 2020 Adelaide Test which India won by 31 runs. This time around, the entire Indian team could bat a combined 81 overs in two innings.
This is why India needs players like Pujara in Test cricket.
He alone faced 450 balls at this very venue in 2018#INDvAUS #AUSvIND https://t.co/cf6bT7Zu9J pic.twitter.com/WXbsRX1DEo
— Ankit (@ankitt_equity) December 8, 2024
“Pujara we are missing you badly… Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence in the BGT (Border Gavaskar Trophy) is a big hole for India. His resilience and ability to frustrate bowlers were key to India’s last two series wins in Australia,” read another post on X.
Pujara we are missing you badly🤔
Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence in the BGT is a big hole for India. His resilience and ability to frustrate bowlers were key to India’s last two series wins in Australia. @cheteshwar1#INDvsAUS #AUSvsINDpic.twitter.com/Dmr0mqjDBB
— Cricket360 (@CrickTak) December 7, 2024
Comparisons with Rohit’s performance were also highlighted.
“India removed Rahane and Pujara for the low scores and this guy is performing worst than them and he is still playing. The most protected captain and player of India #RohitSharma #AUSvIND”, wrote one fan.
India removed Rahane and Pujara for the low scores and this guy is performing worst than them and he is still playing.
The most protected captain and player of India #RohitSharma #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nnZC2OtMZo
— Dev (@ZenithDev07) December 7, 2024
Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who were part of the two back-to-back series triumphs Down Under, are out of favour currently. Both are continuing to play in domestic cricket, hoping for one last India call-up.
Brief Scores
India 1st innings: 180
Australia 1st innings: 337
India 2nd innings: 175 (Nitish Reddy 42; Pat Cummins 5/57, Scott Boland 3/51)
Australia 2nd innings: 19/0.
Result: Australia won by 10 wickets.
Man of the Match: Mitchell Starc (8/108 match haul)
Series tied at 1-1 with 3 Tests to play
Next Test: Dec 14-18 at Brisbane.
