CHENNAI: The third Test could have swung either way, at different times. However, players from both sides showed grit to ensure nobody took away the spoils from Ranchi, leaving the Border-Gavaskar Trophy delicately poised heading to Dharamsala. Talking of momentum, both teams will be quietly confident of producing the goods in the decider. But with India being the top Test side, and having lost only one Test series at home in the last decade, the pressure is on them to keep the record intact.
Even though it may sound outrageous, one of India’s biggest positives from Ranchi has come from the failure of Virat Kohli. Before the series, there were talks that the hosts are dependent overtly on their No 4, and the team would struggle without runs from the skipper. But Kohli has managed 46 runs from five innings and despite that, India are still in with a chance to claim the series.
After Australia put up 451 in the first innings, not many expected India to reach a potentially winning position. Yet they did, thanks largely to Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock of 202. He is the highest run-getter for India this series with a tally 348 runs and average of 69.60. Wriddhiman Saha’s century too played a stellar role.
“Pujara has been one of India’s shining lights. He not only scores big but bats time. He managed to rescue India when the going got tough, and with him in the middle, the team is mostly relaxed because he knows exactly what the situation is and bats accordingly.
“Saha’s grit and determination means Australia will not get too complacent even if they manage to send back Kohli. They know now that India have a long tail and can bat deep,” former India batsman Lalchand
Rajput told Express.
India have been suffering from opening woes, having tried out nine opening pairs in Tests since January 2015. However, the Ranchi encounter was positive in this regard. KL Rahul has been consistent at the top, having scored 282 runs at an average of 56.40. His opening partnership of 91 with Murali Vijay set the tone for the rest of the innings.
“India have had opening problems. But in the last game, both played beautifully. While Rahul got boundaries at will, Vijay paced his innings well, using the sweep to great effect. It should give the team management some respite amid constant talks of openers failing,” Rajput added.
India would have been expected to get Australia out cheaply in their second essay, considering that they were 23/2 at the end of the fourth day’s play. Despite the visitors surviving the trial by spin on the last day, Ravindra Jadeja’s performance has been encouraging. The 28-year-old has emerged out of R Ashwin’s shadow and become India’s go-to guy. He has 21 wickets in three Tests, the most among both sides.
“Jadeja’s nagging line and natural variation have added to Aussie woes. He is a very clever operator and uses his body to great effect. His use of the rough made the visitors struggle. His batting heroics have made him an invaluable asset heading to the final game,” former India spinner Maninder Singh said.
ayantan@newindianexpress.com