Reflecting on India getting all out for 36 versus Australia in the Pink-ball Test, former Australian gloveman, Adam Gilchrist has said that “superb defensive batting” from the 1st innings by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara was the missing part from the visitors in the second innings.
Notably, in the first innings, after the early dismissals of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal, Pujara and Kohli joined hands to stitch together a 68-run partnership of 191 balls for the third wicket. However, after the dismissal of Pujara, deputy skipper, Ajinkya Rahane had also contributed with 42 runs off 130 deliveries.
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Talking about the same in his column for Mid-day, Gilchrist said, “Looking back at the first innings, I would think that the seemingly slow batting from Pujara and Kohli was, in fact, superb defensive batting. That was what India failed to replicate in the second innings. In the first innings, it had seemed that India was not looking for scoring opportunities, but Kohli’s masterclass of concentration alongside Pujara and Rahane is what ensured that India reached 244.”
The 49-year-old also talked in brief about the young Indian opener, Prithvi Shaw, who has been failing miserably in recent times. Shaw technical flaw of leaving gap between bat and pads was handsomely exploited by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Describing the same, Adam Gilchrist said, “In both innings, Prithvi Shaw’s early dismissal put the team on the back foot. Shaw was part of the team during the last series here, and there has been plenty of hype and build-up around the youngster. This has also meant that his technique has been scrutinised and there was a clear plan to exploit the gap between his bat and pad that is a matter of concern for him.”
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He further added “Shaw has also been prone to expansive shots which might backfire in Australian conditions, because he will be liable to edging one to gully. While he is a talented youngster, his performance will put the selectors in a dilemma as they plan for the Boxing Day Test.”
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia will kick start from December 26.
