The defeat in Indore put India in a do-or-die situation as Rohit Sharma’s India need to now focus on qualifying for the World Test Championship final instead of trying out combinations for the summit clash against Australia at The Oval.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 7, 2023 17:32 IST
India need quick course correcting after glaring errors in Indore Test (PTI Photo)
By Priya Nagi: “There is definitely a possibility of that. We have already spoken about it.”
These were the words of India captain Rohit Sharma while talking about preparing for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final in Ahmedabad. The tone of the statement indicated that India wanted to quickly book their seat in the WTC final. But the greed led to India’s stunning nine-wicket defeat against Australia in the third Test.
“If we get the result we want here (Indore), we might think of doing something different in Ahmedabad for sure,” said Rohit on the eve of the third Test. The hosts India, who had retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the first two matches, tinkered with its process and it back-fired the side.
The defeat put India in a do-or-die situation as Rohit’s team needs to now focus on qualifying for the World Test Championship final instead of trying out combinations for the summit clash at The Oval. On the other hand, Steve Smith, who stood in the absence of Pat Cummins, guided Australia to book their spot in the final.
Everything went in favour of Rohit and India in the first two Tests. Rohit, who had not played a Test match since Bangalore Test against Sri Lanka in March 2022, returned to red-ball cricket. And his comeback did not disappoint. Rohit smashed a hundred against Australia in Nagpur.
The mood in the dressing room was also playful, with Rohit revealing Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin fighting to take the ball. Both the spinners played mind games with Australia and collected wickets in Nagpur and Delhi.
THEN WHAT WENT WRONG?
After wrapping up the Delhi Test on Day 3, members of the Indian team got some time to rest but the players got busy with their different commitments instead of continuing their preparation for the Indore Test, where they were welcomed on a turning track. Meanwhile, Australia enjoyed the rewards of putting in hard yards despite losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India’s top-order succumbed in front of Australia, who were plagued with several injuries and forced to make changes in their line-up. Matthew Kuhnemann took his maiden five-wicket haul and Nathan Lyon returned with 11 wickets in total as Australia roared back with a thumping nine-wicket victory over India. While Australia, who have nothing to lose, would try to work on their shortcomings in Ahmedabad, India cannot afford to take risk at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The question now remains what will India do to qualify for the WTC final?
WHAT DOES INDIA NEED TO DO?
Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are in a tight spot where any change in the line-up can either take India into the final or lead to a slip of fate in the hands of Sri Lanka. If India win in Ahmedabad, they will, lock their tie with Australia in the WTC final, but if India lose then it will bring Sri Lanka into the picture.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to play two Tests against New Zealand. The island nation will be eager to win both matches to strengthen their case, but if they lose or draw with New Zealand, then India will sail through. India will take on Australia in the fourth and final Test from March 9.
