Australia tour will be a test of technique and temperament for India

Tags: India tour of Australia 2014 -15, India, Australia

Published on: Nov 25, 2014

In many ways, the Australia tour will be a new beginning for Team India. After much considerations, they have managed to look beyond veterans Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag for the opening slot.

In many ways, the Australia tour will be a new beginning for Team India. After much considerations, they have managed to look beyond veterans Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag for the opening slot. While Sehwag hasn't been selected in the team for a while now, there were reports that the selectors could risk him in Australia considering his impressive past record in the country. Gambhir, on the other hand, had been chosen for the England tour, and performed miserably in the four innings that he went out to bat. It would have been a travesty had India continued with him. They have had their chances, and quite a few of them at that. It is only fair, that India begin looking beyond them.

Of course, just by revamping the top order, India cannot expect for their fortunes to change. But, it is definitely a step in the positive direction as India look to turnaround their fortunes away from home. For the current tour, India have chosen Lokesh Rahul as the third opener. The Karnataka batsman is yet to play international cricket. Thus, the Australia tour would be an extremely tough initiation for him. But, if one looks at it from the other aspect, it is a great opportunity for the youngster to prove his worth. And, if Rahul can shine in Australia, it would give him exceptional confidence about his ability to succeed in international cricket.

Speaking of ability, stand-in captain for the Brisbane Test, Virat Kohli, has emphasised that India would be heading into the Australia Tests with a lot of positivity. Also, he has expressed confidence that his side is capable of handling the pressure of taking on Australia in Australia. While it is good to see the Indian captain talking positively, a lot more needs to be done to improve India's record away from home. In many ways, the Australia Tests will be a big test of both India's technique as well as temperament. Only and only if they can get their play in sync with these two crucial aspects can India manage to challenge the Aussies. Positive talk can only do so much.

It has been evidently clear from the England series that the Indian youngster in the batting department have a problem when it comes to technique. Shikhar Dhawan kept on getting out in England pushing at the ball, following which a frustrated Indian camp had to drop him. Unfortunately, the replacement option they turned to, Gautam Gambhir, proved even worse. Cheteshwar Pujara, who was supposed to possess the best technique to handle the moving ball in Australia, got completely exposed. He managed only a solitary half-century throughout the series, never ever looking in control during his stay at the crease.

Moving on to the captain himself, Kohli's weaknesses also came to the fore in England. His inability to stop himself from pushing at the ball led to his downfall often. While Dhawan was poor in South Africa as well, Kohli and Pujara had done well there, which is why their India returns were disappointing. A batsman cannot change his technique this late in his career. And, by now, the Aussies will be well aware of where to bowl to the Indian batsmen. With both departments aware of what to expect from each other, it would be a massive test of temperament for India's batsmen in Australia. Can they get their priori(t)ies right? Time will tell...

--By A Cricket Analyst

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