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Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant’s slump might be a cause of concern for India but Pat Cummins is expecting them to step up at some point.
India will hope Virat Kohli (left) and Rishabh Pant to come good in Melbourne. (AP Photo)
As India continue their quest for a third straight Test series win in Australia, the form of two of their premier batters Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant has become a major cause of concern. Kohli’s tour began with a bang as the batting maestro peeled off a fluent hundred in Perth but he wasn’t able to carry the momentum in the next two Tests. The result: 126 runs in five innings.
Rishabh Pant, the hero of India’s triumph the last time they were on Australian shores, has been woefully out of touch with the bat. In three Tests, he has added just 96 runs.
In fact, a majority of Indian batters have struggled with only KL Rahul offering some hope.
While their slump has worked in Australia’s favour as they bounced back in Adelaide after losing the series opener, captain Pat Cummins has predicted Kohli and Pant to hit back at some point on the tour.
“I really hope not but you know they’re good players so no doubt they’ll throw some challenges at us at some point,” Cummins said on Wednesday.
Rohit Sharma’s poor form is also hurting the visitors but Cummins reminded how in the past stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane scored century in Melbourne to trigger India’s comeback.
“Look, hard to say. It was a good Test match here (Melbourne) a few years ago. I think Rahane got 100 from memory. So yeah, it always seems like a boxing day every year is a cracking test match. Last year was a great Test match against Pakistan as well,” Cummins said.
The Indian team has traveled to Australia without the experienced duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane as they have lost favour with the national selectors. The Indian team is undergoing transition with more ageing superstars expected to walk into the sunset sooner rather than later.
Cummins says every team is grappling with some challenge but his focus is firmly on how the Australian team is faring.
“Every team always has something they’re kind of grappling with or trying to improve on. As I said previously, I’m really happy our team’s travelling. I thought after Perth we bounced back brilliantly in Adelaide and last week in Queensland. So for us it’s about focusing on what we do well and getting excited for a great week,” he said.
- Location :
Melbourne (Australia)
