IND vs AUS, Delhi Test: In-form India look to tame Australia again, retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy

While it seemed the pitch debate consumed the Australian cricket team ahead of the first Test in Nagpur, uncertainty over this selection seems to be dominating.

The narrative in the lead-up to the 2nd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia were expected to provide India with the stiffest test at home and challenge the domination of the Asian giants in their own backyard.

However, the opening episode of the much-anticipated 4-part series turned out to be a damp squib with India decimating Australia by an innings and 132 runs inside just 3 days. Australia were gunned down for 177 in the first innings and 91 inside just a session in the 2nd innings.

It seemed as if Australia were sucked into the pitch debate and forgot to do the basics in Nagpur. It was quite un-Australian as the visitng side, led by Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald, took quite a few defensive calls, which included playing only 4 frontline bowlers.

India vs Australia, 2nd Test: Predicted XIs

After having landed in Australia with 4 spinners, which included 3 different varieties, Cummins’s side played two off-spinners in Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy. Also, Australia dropped one of their best Test batters, Travis Head — a decision that was slammed by several former Austarlian cricketers.

Allan Border isn’t one bit impressed by the ‘friendly’ manner in which Australia have played their cricket so far in India. Batters, including Steve Smith, showing thumbs up to the Indian spinners after getting beaten has irked the former captain.

Even former India head coach Ravi Shastri wants Australia to toughen up and show more intent in Delhi.

“I want to see them come out and be their aggressive selves in Delhi. To back their ability and play with intent. I was surprised by the lack of it, especially in that second innings, where they were rolled for 91. If you lose, go down throwing punches,” Ravi Shastri told Sydney Morning Herald on the eve of the 2nd Test.

“What you need are good old Australian manners here in India to bounce back from the defeat in Nagpur,” he added.

CAN CUMMINS & Co. FIGHT BACK?
Pat Cummins and his men will be keen on proving the naysayers wrong. It remains to be seen whether the hostility, that was seen in 2017 under Steve Smith, returns but the visitors would want to show the world that Nagpur was an aberration.

For Australia to script a comeback and stop India from retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the third successive time, McDonald and Cummins need to get their team combination right.

Captain Pat Cummins remained tight-lipped about the playing XI for the 2nd Test, saying the conditions in Delhi will dictate their combination. However, Australia are keen on having Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc back for the 2nd Test to add better balance to their side.

Both Starc and Green missed the first Test due to finger injuries they picked up in the Boxing Day Test and captain Cummins said that team management will take a call after further assessments.

Green returning to the XI will give Australia the flexibility to even play 3 spinners after having flown in Matt Kuhnemann, a left-arm spinner. Ashton Agar, who bowls left-arm spin and bats lower down the order, is also waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

Also, Australia have a tough call to make in terms of bringing back Head for the 2nd Test as dropping Matt Renshaw or Peter Handscomb after just one game might send a wrong message.

IYER BACK FOR INDIA

On the other hand, India will look to ride the winning momentum and put relentless pressure on the visitors. India have not lost a Test match since 1987 in Delhi but head coach Rahul Dravid played down the importance of history.

“I didn’t know the record. We don’t see these things, you can’t look back at history. You know that if you have to play well, you have to focus on the next 5 days of the Test match,” he said.

While India would want the likes of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be playing his 100th Test, to step up, KL Rahul, who looked out of touch in Nagpur is likely to get another chance ahead of Shubman Gill, who might have to wait more for his chances.

India also have a big boost in the return of Shreyas Iyer, who will walk into the XI, replacing Suryakumar Yadav.