The opening Test of the series between India and Australia was dominated by the spinner. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were the biggest factors that led the Indian team to a dominant win in the first match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australian debutant Todd Murphy was undoubtedly the best performer for the Aussies in the first match.
The Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli was unable to perform in the Nagpur Test, he was dismissed by Todd Murphy for a meager score of 12 runs. To help counter the spin attack of the Aussies, Kohli arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium early to practice against spinners to better prepare himself for the second Test.
Virat Kohli also received some tips from batting coach Vikram Rathour. He played against net bowlers Pulkit Narang and Hrithik Shokeen, and India A regular Saurabh Kumar has also seen bowling to Kohli in the nets. Only time will tell whether Kohli’s struggle against spin will continue in Delhi or not. The track in Delhi is expected to be yet another spin-friendly track.
Virat Kohli batting practice session at Kotla pic.twitter.com/XPhD1e63t3
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Virat Kohli During Practice Session At Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi Today.👑💙
(2/2)#ViratKohli #INDvAUS @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/3Dh5zXJhxt
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Murphy and Nathan Lyon will be expected to possess some threat to the Indian batter in the second game if the pitch favors spin. The 22-year-old Murphy was exceptional for Australia in the first game as he picked up seven wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars in the opening game of the series match as both the spinners completed their fifers, and Jadeja even impressed with the bat. The Australian batters were helpless against India’s spinners as they collapsed in the second innings for just 91 runs.
If the Australian batters aren’t able to come up with a plan to counter Jadeja, Ashwin, and Axar Patel, then they could be in trouble in the second Test as well. Many experts opined that India might win every match of the series considering the conditions and the form that their spinners are in. Both teams take each other on in Delhi on Friday, February 17.
