The Gabba Test for India had its share of highlights, but unfortunately, rain overshadowed much of the action. Team India had a tough time with the bat, as the top order, except for KL Rahul, struggled to adapt on a surface that wasn’t particularly challenging. India failed to seize control at any point during the match, with only a few bright spots like the partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah in both batting and bowling, as well as Ravi Jadeja’s solid return to the team and the resilience shown by the tailenders.
In terms of bowling, Jasprit Bumrah once again carried the load for India, but what was concerning was the lack of support from the other bowlers, especially in the first innings. This recurring issue has been a theme throughout the series, with India's bowlers unable to complement Bumrah’s efforts consistently, leaving him to shoulder much of the responsibility alone.
Another major disappointment came from the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The pressure was evident, particularly during Travis Head’s innings, where it became clear that Rohit was struggling to find the right response. A key moment came when Jadeja trapped Head with what seemed like an outside edge, yet the review wasn’t taken despite the bowler’s confidence. This was a missed opportunity, and such decisions could have significantly shifted the momentum in India’s favor. As captain, missing out on reviewing a crucial dismissal, especially against an in-form batter, raised questions about decision-making under pressure.
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Preparation Ahead of the Boxing Day Tests
The tickets for the MCG Test are already sold out, and expectations are running high. For India, this is a must-win game for qualification in the WTC Final. The team's preparation focuses on improving their batting. Rohit Sharma mentioned in a press conference that he has almost ticked all the boxes but regrets his batting performance so far in this series. Therefore, preparation will be key. The team needs to counter the Australian attack with the new ball, and the top three batsmen should aim to last at least 30 overs until the ball gets older. This will allow the middle and lower-order batsmen to capitalize on the conditions, similar to their approach in the Perth Test.
Bowling preparation will also be crucial, as the surface at the MCG may support spin early on. This could mean that Washington Sundar might get a chance in the lineup. However, fitting him in alongside Jadeja, who has recently shown consistency with the bat, could be a challenge. If India wants to make the most of the conditions, including Sundar in the squad could be essential since he can also bat well down the order. A two-spinner attack could benefit India at the MCG, but it will depend on their overall balance and strategic approach.
These are some of the potential preparations India could consider for a successful outing at the MCG.
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The Gabba Test highlighted several areas where India fell short, from batting collapses to missed opportunities in the field. While there were moments of individual brilliance, such as Bumrah's efforts with the ball and Jadeja's return to form, the lack of support from other bowlers and the struggles with the bat were concerning. The captaincy of Rohit Sharma also came under scrutiny, particularly in crucial moments like the missed review of Travis Head's dismissal.
As India heads into the Boxing Day Test, there are critical lessons to be learned. With a more cohesive effort from both the batting and bowling units, as well as better decision-making on the field, India will need to regroup and bounce back strongly if they are to stay in contention for the series.
