Is that the million dollar question that Indian cricket fans ask themselves on the eve of the second test at the MCG?
It’s no secret that the odds are against the visitors. There is no Virat Kohli, nor Mohammed Shami. Several key hitters struggled in the first trial, there are a lot of card changes for the second trial. Add to that the fact that the Australians are very confident after achieving a more than complete 8 wicket victory in the first test, where the likes of Josh hazlewood and Pat cummins cut through India’s batting lineup to knock them out for their all-time lowest test innings total (36).
In Virat’s absence, Test vice captain Ajinkya rahane He will be in charge of the team for the remainder of the High Pressure Test series, in which India is already 0-1 down. To say that it will be a huge challenge for Rahane is an understatement, considering what the team is going through. Also, his own batting form is not the best at the moment.
Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Shastri during a training session in Melbourne. (AFP photo)
Timesofindia.com met with former Zimbabwe captain and England head coach Andy Flower, who is also the current coach of the Delhi Bulls team in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, to discuss India’s chances of moving forward in the series. without the services of Virat Kohli. Shami’s absence, KL Rahul the player and more.
Excerpts …
India started their test campaign on a disappointing note, losing the opening test, in Adelaide. Do you think the defending winners of the Border Gavaskar Trophy can come back and win the series? What is your prediction?
Well, India won the last test series they played in Australia. So they certainly have the ability to do that. I do not doubt it. However, it will be difficult to come back from that first defeat. But they have the ability to do that. It’s (Australia) a very difficult place to tour. Australians are very good in their backyard. They know the conditions very well at each of their six test sites. They understand the conditions and how to exploit them. India therefore has to be on top of their game, if they need to come back in the second Test Match. So it will be very interesting to see how they return. And also, how they combat the combination of precision and fast and heavy bowling of the Australian rapids. Because that’s (Hazlewood and Cummins) a deadly combination in test cricket. Things can happen pretty quickly when those guys land the ball in the right areas. I have been to the end of a similar situation in Australia. So it is not beyond India at all. But they have to be on top of their game to turn things around.
How difficult will it be for India without the services of Virat Kohli, who went on paternity leave?
I imagine there are a couple of things to be missed about Virat. Number one is his hitting. Obviously, he was hitting brilliantly before he got knocked out in the last test. And then, they will lose their racing volume. And also, I think, they’ll miss the confidence and aggression that the world-class player (Kohli) puts aside when he’s in the batting lineup. And then as captain, being led by someone who refuses to be intimidated by any opposition, that gives people confidence. So that’s a big mistake. And it is a good test for the other Indian players. (Ajinkya) Rahane is going to lead and it’s a good test for whoever comes in and takes his place as a player.
India was eliminated by 36 in the second inning of the Adelaide Test. What is your assessment of what went wrong? Was it a lack of technique / temperament or just a big unplayable bowling alley or a combination of the two that saw India get knocked out for their lowest inning total?
I’m going to sit on the fence in this case because I haven’t really seen what happened. I was busy in Dubai, preparing for the draft and also spent some time with my two sons who are here with me. So, I haven’t actually seen any windows at that entrance. So, I can’t comment. What I do know is that those Australian bowlers, like Hazelwood, who hit a good length and hit the seam find just the right movement to hit the bat on both sides. They are the best. So, I’m not going to make any judgments. I would have to see it with my own eyes to make a judgment. But what I do know is that these situations come to test you as a player. And now we will see what those players are made of to see how they return in the second Test.
Indian cricketers during a training session in Melbourne. (AFP photo)
As an assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab, worked closely with KL Rahul. He’s done a good job with the bat and gloves in limited overs cricket. Your opinion about Rahul, the player, do you think it should be a constant in the Indian Test team also in the future?
I really loved working with KL. He’s a beautiful hitter to watch play. Play aesthetically beautiful shots. It is very elegant, it stands out above the ball. In fact, he can do well in Australia with his technique. I also liked working with him as a captain. I thought it was very calm. He always had a positive attitude in preparing for a match, in training, in conversations, selection matters with him, in technical matters with him. He’s a very positive thinker, which is obviously a nice thing to be around. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be a consistent performer for India and a consistent selection. I would not make a final judgment on selection issues because I am not close enough to the Indian cricketers who watch them in training, study, who the other contenders are, to make a judgment on him about another player.
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the rest of the Test series due to injury. How big will the load be on Jasprit Bumrah’s shoulders? Who do you think should play instead of Shami? Navdeep Saini or Mohd Siraj?
Shami will be sorely missed. That is sure. He is a very skilled bowler. I met him while I was in Kings XI Punjab. The way he holds up that seam and the fast pace that he generates from that action of hers is truly impressive to watch. Then, we will miss him. Burma is an exceptional bowler in any format. So yeah, the burden is on your shoulders to make strides with the ball. But that is not beyond him. He is an exceptional performer. I like Saini. Pick up the seam and move the ball. A kookaburra ball in Australia can present some problems because it doesn’t move as much as Dukes’ (ball). I know less about Siraj, it wouldn’t be right for me to make a judgment.
How would you rate the Delhi Bulls’ title chances this year in Abu Dhabi’s T10 league?
Well, look, we just finished the draft. I’m pretty happy with the way the draft went. I think we fulfilled the roles that we wanted to fill with the type of players we wanted to choose, so I am very happy. We have a very good tactical captain in Dwayne Bravo. We have good fast attack bowling. We have a young hitter, goalie-hitter in Rahmanullah Gurbaz. And some good substitute players on the squad. Well obviously, I think optimistically. I think our chances will be good. We have a good employer in charge. If we can get the tactic right, we will have many possibilities. It’s a brilliant format to participate in. We all like to play aggressively. We like to make aggressive choices with the ball or the bat and the shortened format forces players to innovation and greater power.
The Delhi Bulls will be led by dynamic Dwayne Bravo this season. Your opinion on Bravo the player and Bravo the captain?
Bravo has a lot of experience in limited-limit cricket now. Last year, Bravo had seriously injured his finger and it still performed very well for us. This year, hopefully, he will be fully fit. And as a player, we know we have two very skilled and knowledgeable bowling packs. And he will hit No. 7 for us and can still hit the ball in the park. So as a player I am very happy to have him in our lineup. As a captain he is very good technically.
.
