Domain Test Series – Test 2 @ Perth
The lead up to the second test of the
series was quite interesting in many aspects. Be it Ishant focusing on where
his front foot is landing rather than the line and length, Injuries to Ashwin
and Rohit, and the Pitch. Many labelled the pitch as the greenest and bounciest
ever and it looked lot greener as it was very difficult to differentiate
between the outfield and pitch. Though Australia retained the same squad, India
were forced to make two changes and they refused to include a spinner and
sported four pacers.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat
first on this greenish wicket and Paine mentioned at the toss that this pitch will slow down as
test progress. Harris and Finch opened the batting and made sure the batting
first decision made by their captain is not regretted. They were unbeaten at
the end of first session in Day 1 with the scorecard 66/0. Indian pacers were
not finding the length and line right initially but didn’t let the batsmen to
score at a brisk rate. They found their mojo back after the lunch break and
continuously chipped away with the scorecard 145/3 at tea break on Day 1. With
handy contributions from Marsh, Head and Paine see them the scorecard went past
300 and they finished their innings at 326. India was set back very early in
their reply as both the openers were sent back inside 6th over. Then
came the Captain’s innings from Kohli and useful contributins from Pujara and
Rahane seen India at 172/3 at the end of day 3.
Day 3 started with India looking to take
lead easily only to end up with the deficit of 43 runs. Courtesy – Another
batting collapse from India. Kohli ended up with 123, the only centurion in the
game. Then Australia resumed their innings and scored cautiously before Indian
bowlers started to find their rhythm. Finch got hit on right index finger and
got retired hurt. India fought back by striking regularly and ended the day
with 112/4 technically read as 155/4. Khawaja and Paine was very calm in the
first session of day 4 and ensured a wicket less session with the lead of 233
with 6 wickets(Finch got cleared to bat) in hand looking to bat India out of
the match. But India came out all guns blazing after the lunch to strike
continuously and suddenly the scorecard looked as 207/9. Starc and Hazlewood
showed resistance and scored at a brisk rate to end the innings at 243 and set
287 as a target for India.
India began their second essay much like
their first innings with Pujara and Rahul were back in the hut inside 4 overs.
The onus were once again on Kohli to carry forward the chase. But Lyon had
other ideas and removed both Kohli and Vijay in quick succession and pushed
India almost out of the game. Rahane played aggressively and soon fell to a
blinder from Head. Day 5 was just a formality and India was bundled out for
just 140 and lost the test by a big margin of 146 runs. The series is now even
at 1 – 1 with two matches to go at Melbourne and Sydney. Hardik Pandya and
Mayank Agarwal was added to the squad for the last two matches as Prithvi Shaw
has been ruled out. The next test starts on boxing day at Melbourne. Will the visitors
bounce back or the hosts continue to dominate ?? We will see later.
Will bounce back
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