New Delhi. There was a time when India used to enter test matches with 5 specialist bowlers. The team also won matches from England to South Africa with this combination. But on Australia tour, Team India is going with 4 bowlers and one batting all-rounder. Despite this, it has been limited to within 200 runs in 3 out of 6 innings. India and Australia won one match, lost one and drew one. The reason for India’s defeat was not only poor batting but also weakness of bowling. Bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that bowling from 30th to 50th over is proving to be the weak link. In such a situation, the question is whether Rohit Sharma will show the courage to choose the fourth pacer instead of the batting all-rounder.
The fourth Test between India and Australia is to be played in Melbourne from 26 December. India has won the last 2 matches here and drawn one. Australia has not been able to beat India here for 10 years. In such a situation, memories are with India. But it is not necessary that this applies to the pitch also. The pitch at MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) has good grass. This is the same pitch as it has been in previous years. Such a pitch which is always helpful for fast bowlers.
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Nitish bowled 27 overs in 3 matches
There are currently 3 specialist bowlers and 2 batting all-rounders in the Indian bowling lineup. The way Nitish Kumar Reddy has batted, it is clear that he has the potential to become a specialist batsman. He has repeatedly rescued Indian batting from difficulties. But it is also true that his bowling is not such that he can be used as a fourth pacer. India has bowled 336 overs on this tour, out of which Nitish Reddy has bowled only 27 overs. He gave runs in these overs at an average of 4.55 and took 3 wickets.
Jadeja’s batting record abroad is excellent
The second all-rounder is Ravindra Jadeja. Hardly anyone doubts his ability. Jadeja is also among the Indian batsmen who have scored the most runs abroad in the last 4 years. But he was never considered a dangerous or match-winning bowler the way Ravichandran Ashwin was considered. It is also possible that if the team has to go with a spinner (not a batting all-rounder) then it may go with Washington Sundar in place of Jadeja. Despite this, he has 85 wickets in his name in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Prasidh Krishna’s claim strong
India needs a bowling all-rounder (Washington Sundar) or a pacer to strengthen the bowling which is weakening between the 30th and 50th overs. This pacer could be the famous Krishna, who had taken 6 wickets against Australia in Melbourne a few days ago. Prasidh Krishna is a seam bowler and there will be help for such bowlers in MCG.
Rohit Sharma will have to take a tough decision
Now captain Rohit Sharma has to decide whether he will think about strengthening the bowling or go with Nitish Reddy to help the loose batting. Talking about batting, not only Rohit is struggling to score runs, but Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also not been able to play big innings after scoring centuries. Shubman Gill is making a good start, but is not able to take it forward. By and large, trust is built only on two batsmen. First KL Rahul and second Ravindra Jadeja. The third one is Rishabh Pant, whose batting can be expected, but it can be difficult to trust.
Tags: India vs Australia, Nitish Kumar Reddy, prasidh krishna
FIRST PUBLISHED: December 25, 2024, 09:10 IST