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Greg Chappell said Australia’s top order is major concern heading into the second Border-Gavaskar Test in Adelaide.
India vs Australia: Pat Cummins looks dissapointed (AP)
India outclassed Australia by 295 runs in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday as former head coach of the Men in Blue and Aussie great Greg Chappell believes that the home side’s top order is a major concern.
If the humiliation of India being able to declare their second innings on 487-6 reflected poorly on the bowling unit, it was the Australian batting line-up dismissed for 104 in their first innings that bore the brunt of the blame.
“Yet it was Australia’s batting performance that was more concerning. India’s bowlers, spearheaded by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah, looked sharper and more menacing. By the way, please stop this nonsense of questioning Bumrah’s action. It is unique, but it is unequivocally clean. It demeans a champion performer and the game to even bring it up. The top order is a major concern. To avoid forced changes, they must deliver in Adelaide,” Chappell wrote in his column in The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Marnus Labuschagne could make just five runs from two innings in Perth and even was trapped in front of the wickets by Jasprit Bumrah without offering a shot. Considered as one of the best batters going around, Labuschagne has not scored a century since July 2023.
Chappell feels that the right-hander is playing for survival instead of looking for runs.
“Marnus Labuschagne knows he is under pressure. With only 330 runs from his last 16 innings, he must rediscover his form quickly and revert to the free-flowing style of old; two off 52 balls is not good enough. A change of mindset should be his first port of call. He looks to be batting for survival when he really should be looking to score runs. A subtle but important difference,” he wrote.
“At this stage, I don’t expect the Australian selectors to panic. However, if the same team takes the field in Adelaide and falters under the lights … watch out!” Chappell added.
Chappell was full of praises for “emerging superstar” Yashasvi Jaiswal, calling him a fearless cricketer who is following the mantle of Indian batting greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
“The pitch, too, evolved, becoming less treacherous. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul capitalised, making the Australian bowlers look ordinary. Rahul’s quality is well-known, but Jaiswal is an emerging superstar. The young opener is fearless and appears poised to inherit the mantle of Indian batting excellence, following the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar,” he wrote.
(With inputs from Agencies)
