Gavaskar expresses dissatisfaction with Indian bowlers as Australia takes lead on the first day of the pink-ball Test: 'This is the outcome when...'

11 days ago | 5 Views

Batting icon Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his dissatisfaction regarding India's inability to take full advantage of the pink ball on the first day of the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. Following India's dismissal for a modest total of 180 runs, Australia concluded the day in a strong position at 86/1, largely due to Mitchell Starc's exceptional six-wicket performance that dismantled the Indian batting order.

In his remarks on Star Sports, Gavaskar pointed out the Indian bowlers' failure to exploit the conditions effectively, stressing the necessity for them to challenge the Australian batsmen more rigorously.

"They must compel the batsmen to play as much as possible. This is the outcome when you force the batsmen to engage," Gavaskar stated, indicating that the Indian bowlers squandered a significant opportunity to leverage the pink ball. He elaborated on how the Indian pacers could have set up the Australian batsmen by varying their lengths and lines, similar to the successful strategy employed by Jasprit Bumrah in the Perth Test.

"You can create opportunities by delivering a few balls outside off-stump and then inducing movement back in, as seen with Nathan McSweeney in the Perth Test, or Labuschagne, as Bumrah demonstrated. The Indian bowlers have not utilized the pink ball to its full potential," Gavaskar remarked, suggesting that improved strategy and execution could have led to greater success on the opening day.

Bumrah has claimed the only wicket in the Australian innings thus far in the second Test, dismissing Usman Khawaja for 13 runs.

Hayden commends Starc

In a related note, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden lauded Mitchell Starc’s performance, referring to him as a “magician with the pink ball.” Starc’s impressive six-wicket haul for just 48 runs left the Indian team in a precarious position, as the Australian fast bowler skillfully utilized the pink ball to shift the momentum.

Hayden elaborated on how Starc’s "scrambled seam delivery" perplexed the Indian batsmen and commended his ability to swing the ball effectively even in the later stages of the innings.

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