Re: india vs Australia 2nd Test
India’s dismal performance in England and Australia was not just due to bowling inadequacies. The openers Gambhir andSehwag disappeared. VVS in Australia was over the hill. Dravid uncharscteristically got his defence split wide open and started getting bowled. The great wall had cracks, that widened as the series progressed.
Sehwsg in the current series has shown he no longer has what it takes to give India a good start. Gambhir goes fishing outside the offstump in predictable fashion and is useless abroad. So does Dhoni.
Murali Vijay showed solid technique. No reason he was kept out of line up so long. Abhinav Mukjnd in England scored a good 50. Solid technique. He can be the other opener.( saw Rahane just once. Not good footwork).
Bottom line Vijay and Pujara replacing gambhir and Dravidnis positive.kohli at 5 over laxman positive. Mukund over sehwag positive.
Bhuva showed he gets purchase even in Indian condition with some reverse swing. Took a brilliant catch and is more than a useful batsman.
Ishant improving though stats don’t show.
I think the old guard was kept in place far too long. Future is bright. And I say this with all seriousneess. India has turned the corner.
India needs atleast 3 good pacers to do well on pitches in SA, Aus and England. Bhuva will do well on seaming tracks but he lacks serious pace. Ishant is a bit like Gul, lacks penetration in tests, wasn’t all that impressive in Eng or Aus. Agreed Sehwag needs to go.
Let’s see how Pujara does in non-Asian away tests. I have a feeling that Gambhir will come back at some stage. He’s merely being rested!