Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 4-test match series as they won the second test match at the GABBA in Brisbane by 4 wickets. It was yet another India’s disappointing performance that ushered in the second defeat on the trot in the series.
India started the day at 71/1 with Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. All were expecting an exciting battle between the bat and the ball. However that was not to be. Shikhar Dhawan the overnight not out batsman did not come out to bat at first. Virat Kohli came in place of Dhawan but could not make any impact as he played only 11 balls scoring only 1 run. Rahane was the next man in. he made a good start but it was short-lived as well and he managed to score only 10 runs facing only 8 balls. As Rahane got out Rohit Sharma came in. it’s better the less his batting is talked about for faced only 2 balls and went out without disturbing the scorers. The problem is not getting out on 0, but with the way he is getting out. Yet again he got out poking one outside off-stump. Mahendra Singh Dhoni followed suit as he faced only a couple of balls. In the end India’s middle-order managed to score only 11 runs after facing 23 balls. As a test team India don’t deserve to win the match. Australia finally wrapped up the Indian innings after a bit of fight back by tail-enders led by Shikhar Dhawan who scored a nice 81. India’s second innings score read 224 which meant Australia needed 128 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the test series.
India were at least 50-70 runs short in their second innings. Few more would have definitely made things more exciting for this Australian line-up lacked the prowess to crush the opponent. While chasing a target of 128 Australian top order panicked as they were reduced to 22/2, thanks to some spirited bowling performance from Ishant Sharma. Steve Smith and Chris Rogers then steadied the ship for the home team. But they had been reduced to 122/6 before Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Marsh ensured that they were no more hiccups while chasing down the target.
It was another demoralizing defeat for India. It’s not that India had played badly throughout the match but they let the opportunities slip that cost them badly. In the second innings it was one poor session that led to India’s downfall. The Indian players just need to be a bit more cautious about their approach towards the game and if they are able to do so, who knows, India can make a comeback into the test series.
Tags: Australia Brisbane test india
