Ajit Karn
Can India Win Against Australia in the Indore Test?
Australia needs only 76 runs to secure a memorable Test victory in India, but the treacherous character of the ground has given India’s pacer Umesh Yadav reason for optimism heading into day three. 14 wickets fell on the first day, while 16 batsmen were dismissed on Thursday. The pitch has a great deal of spin, and its irregular bounce has made it more difficult for the batsmen. On the second day, Nathan Lyon finished with eight wickets and brought his team within striking distance of an uncommon victory in India. Umesh acknowledged that his team has not scored enough runs, but that it still has a slim chance of winning.
“In cricket, anything is possible. We will endeavour to bowl narrow lines. It is not an easy pitch for either of our batsmen or theirs. It is difficult to venture out and strike.
“Also, the ball is staying low, so you cannot be certain about stepping out.
“The runs are less, but we will keep to tight lines and press as hard as we can,” said Umesh, who took three wickets on Thursday morning with the ball.
After Australia resumed the day at 156 for four in their second innings, the 35-year-old, who does not get to play routinely at home due to India using only two pacers, bowled his guts out in the first session to help the hosts restrict them to 197 runs.
Umesh bowled quickly and directly with a crooked trajectory, allowing the surface to do the rest. He caught Cameron Green in front with a beautiful delivery that maintained its trajectory after landing on middle stump. Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy were similarly powerless against a charged opponent. Umesh and others observed their prostheses being removed.
“On this surface, I aimed to bowl straight and take two wickets. As a rapid bowler, I must strike the pitch with force and target the correct areas. I have spent the majority of my cricket career in India, and my goal is always to take a wicket.” Adding to the scramble seam, “Since there was seam movement, I attempted the scrambled seam. If not swaying, then it was seaming. No matter what length I bowled, seam movement and drifting occurred after delivering.” Umesh was unable to contribute crucial runs with the bat, as he and Mohammed Siraj both succumbed attempting big smashes.
On these wickets, according to the pacer, it is more prudent for a tailender to attack than defend.
“When I stepped into the batter’s box, we did not receive any assault instructions. My duty was to score runs on this difficult pitch. It is challenging to obtain trips here. I believe that rather than defending and eventually going out, it is preferable to go for strokes on this wicket. Even if I had scored 10 to 20 runs, the lead would have increased to 90. That is more crucial to me “he added. PTI BS AM BF AM AM
