Analysis: India v Australia, 2nd Test, Bangalore
India-Pakistan is another such glorious rivalry. The fans from both sides wants to win it badly, or perhaps they do not want to lose due political history. Whenever two plays the line "lose it against any other team but not from Pakistan" is on every Indian lip. But India always have an extra edge. The scoreline 11-0 (in world cups) portrays it glamorously. So is Indo-Pak contest really worth gold? Nah! When one team always dominates other the contest's net worth falls.
Indo-Pak is always a tension game but its India vs Australia that creates an atmosphere of intrigue. A battle in which even without uttering, many things are said and 'things' becomes facts later in the day (post day press conference). Bangalore was another such enthralling encounter.
The platform was nicely setup. After destruction in Pune, Virat Kohli men had a point to prove.
On day-1 former pitch curator Nathan Lyon ran riot and cut India team to size. The 8-50 were best bowling figures by a visiting bowler in India. It looked all gloom for India. One more bad session and India might lose chance to regain the prestigious Border–Gavaskar Trophy. At the end-of-day attrition presser KL Rahul, India highest 1st innings scorer said that he is confident of Ashwin running through Australian lineup. Next morning when he dismissed Warner - the ball pitching in rough and spitefully pegging his off-stump back - it looked Rahul's statement was turning into a fact. But it wasn't Ashwin's day, in 49 overs he bowled he got only one more wicket.
Something looked missing in Ashwin's bowling. Perhaps the action was falling or he was overcooking. The ball which used to obey his rules just like a loyal student follows his teacher's instruction was giving him pain, corresponding to pain a son provides to his parents when he sends them to old homage.
But Indian seamers Ishant and Umesh kept it tight. They didn't gave opposition an inch. Ishant kept drawing the batsman forward and Umesh tried to hurry-up the Australian for pace. At one moment one could have mistaken them for Mcgrath-Lee combo. The former in your eyes and later searing in. Perhaps it was due to behavior of pitch. Grubbers were chief characteristics of day-2.
Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh manifested exemplary courage. They exhibited the pitch was not unplayable if you apply yourself.
The key to bat on Bangalore strip was to trust your defense, play with soft hands, not to drive on the rise and to smash bad balls. At stumps on day-2 neither team seized an extra edge. Though Australia had an advantage of 48 runs.
On day-3, under-bowled Ravindra Jadeja wrapped-up Australia's lower middle batsman not before they had take an advantage of 87 runs. In reply India began patiently, till lunch they had trimmed deficit down to 49. Abhinav Mukund was removed soon after lunch. Australia got the 'opening' they intended for. But with KL Rahul, Pujara kept moving the scoreboard. Rahul reached fifty and edged to flying Smith. Virat Kohli was trapped LBW and pinch-hitter Jadeja's stump were crashed. Australia are now in drivers seat and if they overtake one more Indian wicket they may well reach the finishing point.
In walks Ajinkya Rahane who has combated even more tougher conditions. Think about hundred on day-1 in Lords - on a pitch greener than outfield. Think about him pulling Mitchell Johnson at his prime. Think about him scoring 96 in Durban. Here is man who has countered all the conditions but now coach has to reassure that he is not going to be dropped. Albeit, except for 80-odd against Bangladesh he hasn't made significant contribution. Now he is going to bat on pitch which is getting naughty.
After tea, Rahane and Pujara batted cautiously. Lyons which ripped India apart in first innings didn't have the same impact. They both batted on off-stump, inflicting a change in Lyon's line which made him less effective. In last session of day-3 India regained the control of match the scoreboard started moving briskly and India had accumulated a lead of 126 runs.
Day-3 highlighted India's character and why they are number one. India could have easily crumbled after being four down but Rahane and Pujara batted pugnaciously to keep Australia at bay.
On day-4 Rahane completed 50 was out LBW. Karun Nair was cleaned-up first ball and then the inevitable collapse triggered. India setup Australia a target of 188 runs. Matt Renshaw gloved behind. Australia were 22-1. Ashwin was still struggling. He moved round the wicket and trapped Warner LBW. After a brief partnership Shaun Marsh was wrongly adjudged LBW and he didn't bother reviewing. Then came the moment of controversy. Smith got a grubber and was dead plumb. He consulted his partner and looked towards dressing room. Smith later described it as brain fade and Virat didn't agreed with it. Umpires intervened and send Smith back on his way.
Mitchell Marsh played three glorious drives and was then caught at short leg off Ashwin. Australia collapsed from 5-101 to 10-112. Ashwin picked up a six-fer. Jadeja played a silent role.
Ashwin tossed up a off-break, Lyon went for an extravagant drive and spooned straight back to Ashwin. Ashwin roared. Kohli roared. Bangalore roared. And whole of India roared.
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