After putting up a decent performance in the tour match in Mumbai, Australia must be hoping to begin the four-match Test series against India on a happy note when the first one begins at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium, Pune tomorrow. And incidentally its going be the 25th Test venue in India. It’s indeed a good sign that at so many new venues Test cricket is played in the country, that itself shows the increasing popularity of this glorious game of uncertanities.
Going back to last year in the same month when a T-20 match was played at this venue Sri Lanka bowled India out for a meagre 101 and then went on to win the match, despite losing a couple of early wickets.
And now there are some doubts in the minds of cricket lovers, will it be on same kind of wicket the Test will be played. Well the curators Panduranga Salgaokar and Dhiraj Prasanna were former fast bowlers. Salgaokar, in spite of being a genuine quick bowler never played for the country, while Prasanna could play a couple of matches. And according to the reports they claim that the wicket will have some bounce and the pacers can enjoy that on the first two days. If that is a temptation, the teams might be in dilemma in playing an extra spinner to a fast bowler.
Australia, even if they prefer two quicks in Mitchell Starc and Jason Hazelwood, they can have the services of Mitchel Marsh, who will be included as an all-rounder. And his brother Shan Marsh, who showed good form in the tour match, with a fine ton is likely to bat at No 3 position.
Aussis captain Smith also played superbly in that match, scoring a ton and that should give the other team members tremendous confidence. The only question now is, whether they will play Renshaw or Khawaja to partner with Warner as an opener. They might go with Renshaw, who seems to be in good touch and he has also had some good partnerships with Warner in recent times. In spin department, they have the experience of Lyon, while Kofee can be dangerous if the wicket assists the spinners.
On the other hand India, who are No1 in Test cricket now, might play with the same eleven that had played against Bangladesh a few days ago in the one-off Test at Hyderabad. If the captain prefers three spinners Jayant Yadav might get the nod.
India, who haven’t been beaten in a Test match in India since 2012 when they lost to England have won 17 matches out of the 20 they have played at home. Of course their last defeat in Tests was against Sri Lanka in 2015 August at Galle.
For sure, this is going to be a very interesting series and one has to wait and see how the home team will continue its recent dominance. If Australia win the series in a big way they have a chance of gaining No1 spot. But will that happen?
BY Sudeer Mahavaadi – DD Commentator
