Ajit Karn
IND vs AUS:Wednesday, batting coach Vikram Rathour asserted that despite spin being one of India’s strengths, the team failed to account for the excessive turn on offer because it was a bad day at the office.
India were bowled out for 109 in less than one session on the opening day of the third Test, with Australian left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann taking 5 for 16.
On the same pitch, the visitors reached 156 for four at the end of the first day and carried a 47-run lead into the second.
The squareness of the ball during the first hour of play drew a great deal of criticism regarding the nature of the playing surface.
However, Rathour insisted that the team’s strength remains playing on turners at home.
“It is a difficult pitch, no doubt. More than we had anticipated. Possibly due to the humidity, the ball turned sharply in the morning. Certainly, we could have scored more runs, but I don’t believe anyone played careless or reckless cricket. We just had a bad day as a batting unit,” Rathour stated to the media.
When asked about the risk of playing on turners, Rathour stated that the team’s strength remains despite the possibility of being on the receiving end.
“It is possible to get out as a batting unit on occasion, but we prefer playing on turning tracks. This is our greatest strength and where we excel as a team. To be fair, this wicket is unique.
“I don’t believe the first two wickets were bad. We observed that it may be drier than we had anticipated. On the first day of the test match, it significantly exceeded our expectations.
“In fairness to curators. They barely had time to set up the pitch. It is a relatively late decision that the game will be moved from Dharamsala, as Ranji season has already concluded. They did not have sufficient time, the former India opener said.
Rathour believed that the wicket may have become easier as the day wore on. Usman Khawaja was the best batsman for Australia, scoring 60 runs off 147 balls.
It appeared to be that (that wicket eased out). I will be unable to comment on that matter. The players in the middle position can tell you more about this. Later in the day, time seemed to pass more slowly. It was not as sharply turning as it had been in the morning.” When asked whether the batters deviated from their plans, Rathour responded in the negative.
“Not at all. Plan was to rely on defence, wait for loose balls, and score as many runs as possible. It was one of those days where everything you did was out of your control (of fielders). “We simply had a bad day,” he explained.
In the Delhi Test, Australia was guilty of playing overly aggressive cricket. On Wednesday, players such as Rohit Sharma, Shrees Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja fell attempting strokes.
Cheteshwar Pujara attempted to score off a ripper but turned sharply back from off-stump.
“That was an error in length estimation. He (Pujara) saw a ball outside off stump and expected it to travel in a straighter direction, but it curved. It was a common error in judgement. Rohit bats in this manner because he enjoys taking the initiative and scoring runs. “On most days it works, but not today,” said the batting coach.
Since the WTC began, the pressure to win home games has increased.
Since the WTC began in 2019, teams feel additional pressure to win at home due to the points system that determines qualification for the summit clash, according to Rathour.
“It is entirely ICC’s decision” (if they want neutral curators). However, since the WTC began, the pressure to win more home games has increased. Teams are motivated to win when playing at home. On turners, India’s batters have frequently been criticised, but Rathour disagrees.
“I don’t believe so. These are difficult pitches. We as a team want to play on tracks with turns. To score runs, you must bat exceptionally well. The batters performed admirably (in the series). Virat’s performance in the previous match was exceptional, and he continued that trend in today’s match. In addition to Rohit, Jadeja and Axar have played well.”
Australia taking the first innings is not a major concern.
Rathour is unconcerned about Australia’s 47-run lead, as they bat last on this pitch and batted first in the previous match.
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“Because they will need to bat fourth on this surface, taking the lead is less of a concern.” Now the challenge is to maintain them at the lowest levels possible. “We must bat well in the second inning,” Rathour said.
