By Ashis Ray, IANS
Melbourne : Having conceded a first innings lead of 147 and trailing by 179 at the end of the second day, India are in grave danger of losing the opening test of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Other than the odd ball keeping low, there are as yet few demons in the pitch. Therefore, it would be surprising if Australia were to be bowled out for a low score in the second innings. On the other hand, the wicket might deteriorate by the time it’s India’s turn to bat again.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must be held partly responsible for India’s batting collapse. It is incredible that they agreed to just one warm-up game before taking on the world champions when 2-3 would have been the correct preparation. As can well happen, even the solitary practice match was overwhelmingly washed out.
That having been said, it was Stuart Clarke’s immaculate line and length and Brett Lee’s lethal pace that undid the Indians. The Indians could have considered batting out of the crease to negate Clarke’s lbw designs.
Wasim Jaffer got an outswinger that left him from off stump; and VVS Laxman received a brute of a delivery that followed him to spoon up off the gloves. Both were victims of Lee.
India’s objective was to tire out the quicker bowlers. The strategy failed because Rahul Dravid was over cautious, consuming 66 balls to register just five runs.
Wielding the willow at the highest level of cricket is about one’s eyes and mind being on the ball constantly and in a synchronised manner. In course of his career, Dravid has demonstrated this ability quite perfectly. Yet, there’s something distracting his focus since resigning from the captaincy.
He rather took to heart the criticism of his decision not to enforce a follow on against England in the Oval test. He was also unhappy about the possibility of the considerable achievement of beating the Englishmen in an away series being ignored amid the Indian media and public’s frenzy over limited overs cricket. Last but not the least, he was said to be upset with chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar.
Dravid was the first of Clarke’s four victims, trapped lbw coming half rather than full forward to an off-cutter. Mahendra Dhoni was likewise beaten, but by one that reverse swung into him.
In between, Sachin Tendulkar played on in almost identical fashion to his dismissal in the Victoria match. He failed to give himself adequate room to cut and thus got a bottom edge. And as for Yuvraj, he rudely realised that playing with a licence to kill in T20 is one thing, tackling test cricket is another. The snickometer signalled he was caught behind; so, his expression of dissent will only hurt his pocket.
The talented Tendulkar, his right thigh heavily strapped, and the in-form Sourav Ganguly were the only ones to come to terms with the challenge. Tendulkar’s 77-ball 62 was testimony to his effort to break the shackles. As long as he and the Kolkata left-hander – who responsibly complemented him – were together – and they added 65 runs – there was some hope of India getting close to Australia’s total. But with the Mumbaikar’s exit, India irretrievably slumped from 120 for three to 122 for six.
Tendulkar calculatedly exploited the chink in the Australian armoury – Bradley Hogg, the chinaman and googly exponent. Two slog sweeps – one lofted the other along the ground – for boundaries and a classical on-drive for six indicated such intent. Ganguly joined the merriment with a straight six. But in trying to cut one from the same bowler that straightened and kept low, he paid the penalty. To Ricky Ponting’s credit, he persevered with Hogg.
Australia are obsessed with scoring at a gallop even in tests. But this is not a four runs per over wicket. Failure to respect this cost the hosts a total bigger than 343. At the same time, it didn’t call for a snail-paced approach either. Overawed, the Indian batsmen abandoned their natural aptitude.
The heavy outfield demanded positive running between the wickets. But often, where the Indians could have run three, they were content with a couple.