India will continue to dominate Australia: MSK Prasad
CHENNAI: India showed that they are tough opponents at home when they managed to win after being 87 for 5 at one stage in the rain-hit tour opener against Australia at Chennai on Sunday.
Chairman of the national selection committee MSK Prasad believes that the team has all bases covered and will continue to dominate against Australia in the remainder of the series. “It was a splendid performance by India at Chennai. From being 87 for 5 with half the side back in the pavilion to winning the game. It is one of the finest matches I have seen in a long time,’’ complimented Prasad.
India skipper Virat Kohli, on the eve of the Chennai game, said that he was looking to have two solid all-rounders and indications from the Sri Lanka tour suggested that Hardik Pandya was one. “It was a brilliant show by Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni. Their partnership was outstanding and both played a huge role in our victory. The bowlers did not lag behind. It was a complete team performance and I am sure the team will continue to do so in the rest of the matches,’’ he said.
On any changes in the playing XI or battting order he wishes to see. “Let’s make it very clear. We (selectors) pick the best team possible and give it to the team management. It is they (team management) who decide who plays and where,” clarified Prasad.
On the other hand, Australia are still ruing the missed opportunity after having put India on the mat at one stage in Chennai. Adam Zampa, who was at the receiving end of Pandya’s pyrotechnics, will be looking to make amends. “I probably bowled three balls that were too full and if it falls to a player like Pandya, it’s going to go the distance. You never like to get hit for three sixes in a row, but it does happen. It’s probably happened to Shane Warne and guys like that too. As long as you don’t put yourself under too much pressure and try and learn from those situations, it is fine’’ Zampa had said.
Australia captain Steve Smith admitted that his team’s batting too needs to play to potential. “We certainly haven’t just been focusing on wrist spin. We’ve been facing our fast bowlers in the nets and other net bowlers as well. There hasn’t just been that focus on spin bowling, that’s for sure. India have some quality seamers as well,” said Smith.
But a source close to the Australian team’s think tank revealed that they are trying to change their approach and are hoping for a better show. “We are trying to change the mind-set of our players towards Indian bowlers. We have told them to play the ball and not the bowler and not be intimidated by the bowler,’’ said the source.
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com