This is a baptism by fire for Virat Kohli. In about three weeks’ time, he will lead India for the first time in Test cricket. The venue is Gabba in Brisbane and it has one of the quickest pitches in the world. Regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not available for the first match of the four-Test series in Australia because he’s nursing a thumb injury. Tour of duty is set to begin for the stand-in skipper.
India have become serial losers in overseas Test matches. It started with a 4-0 whitewash in England in 2011. Defeat by an identical margin in Australia followed a few months later. The team went to South Africa and New Zealand last season and even though there was some progress, the end result was series defeats in both countries. A 3-1 loss to England this summer rounded off the sequence. What will happen in Australia?
Better to start with Kohli, for he’s widely considered as the future of Indian cricket. The 26-year-old failed miserably in England, scoring 134 runs in five Tests at 13.40. His failure was a reason why India had surrendered the initiative after a fabulous win at Lord’s. The stand-in job in Australia shouldn’t put him under extra pressure because Dhoni will take charge from the second Test onwards. Kohli’s captaincy credentials won’t be judged on the basis of India’s performance in Brisbane. But his batting would be under the scanner—the ability to counter pace, bounce and off the seam movement. He must pass the test to be regarded an elite. Kohli scored his maiden Test hundred in Adelaide. But back then in 2011-12, he was a newcomer who lived under the shadow of the legends. He’s the leading man now and the challenge for him would be to rise to the occasion.
The openers next. Murali Vijay was exceptional in England with 402 runs in 10 innings, including a century and two half-centuries. But he lacked support at the other end. Shikhar Dhawan scored 122 runs in the first three Tests before making way for Gautam Gambhir. His replacement turned out to be even worse as Gambhir could only manage 25 runs in four innings at 6.25. Young Karnataka opener KL Rahul has been chosen for this tour, thanks to his 1,033 runs at 68.86 in the last Ranji season and a century in each innings of the Duleep Trophy final this term. Rahul Dravid believes the 22-year-old is ready for Test cricket. We’ve to wait and see.
Rahul is going there as a reserve opener but opportunities will come along the way. The youngster should be ready.
Cheteshwar Pujara flattered to deceive in England. He stayed there and did all the hard work before throwing it away. Pujara is dedicated to cricket, but it’s high time he converts his starts into big scores away from home.
Ajinkya Rahane was India’s best player in England and without his century in the first innings, India wouldn’t have won at Lord’s. The Mumbai batsman has the technique and temperament. And once again, he’s India’s best bet to score runs against Mitchell Johnson and Co.
India had experimented with five specialist batsmen in England. Dhoni came at number six, while Stuart Binny played in three Tests as a specialist all-rounder. The move didn’t work. The team is expected to revert to a more conventional six-batsmen strategy in Australia with Dhoni coming in at number seven. This opens up the opportunity for Rohit Sharma. Fresh from his world record double hundred in the one-day international at Eden Gardens, he should be high on confidence. But there’s a difference between playing Nuwan Kulasekara’s dibbly-dobblies on a flat deck and facing Johnson’s thunderbolts in seamer-friendly conditions. Dale Steyn took the mickey out of him in South Africa. Rohit struggled in New Zealand as well. And the only Test he played in England, he got out to an atrocious shot to Moeen Ali. Rohit must stand up in Australia or go bust.
Suresh Raina is an interesting pick. He has returned to Test fold after more than two years because team director Ravi Shastri endorsed his selection. The left-hander has been in sublime form in limited-overs cricket of late. But red ball cricket is a different kettle of fish. Raina had started off brilliantly in Test cricket, scoring a gorgeous 120 in Sri Lanka on debut. But short-pitched bowling became his bugbear and he eventually lost his way. Now, there’s one final opportunity. This tour, if he gets to play, might define his whole career.
Kohli disclosed the other day how Team India were going to “change their character”. A team that revelled in taking pace off the ball, has chosen to be fast and furious. “All-out pace attack is something that we look forward to in the coming months. It is an area of strength which we like to build. That will be a change of character for us…” said Kohli. Heartening.
In Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami, India have four fast bowlers who can clock 90 mph. But the radar must work properly. Australia’s batting looks vulnerable under pressure and India have the ammos to fight fire with fire.
As far as spin bowling is concerned, both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have failed to make an impact on the road. Ashwin’s figures outside India reads, 12 for 774 in six Tests. Jadeja is a little better with 18 wickets for 831 runs in seven matches. How about throwing in young Karn Sharma at the deep end? Such a move requires boldness, but bowlers of Sharma’s type (leg-spinners) have traditionally enjoyed success in Australia.
India have never won a Test series Down Under. This time also, they’re going as rank underdogs. Reputation is at stake.