After an inspiring fight in the first Test, Team India, under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, succumbed to second consecutive Test defeat in Australia on Saturday as Australia won by four wickets inside four days.
India’s downfall started on day 3, when their bowlers failed to remove the tail-enders and allowed Australia to comeback in the match. Australian tail-enders added over 150 runs in the first innings.
But, the most dramatic part of the Test match came on the fourth day when Indian batsmen surrendered against the Australian bowling attack.
From 71 for 1 and just 26 behind Australia in the second innings, India went downhill to lose 9 wickets for 153 runs.
THE MOST SHOCKING PART OF THE STORY
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in his post-match press conference, said, “The first session today was a big debacle for us. There was a lack of communication in our dressing room over whether Shikhar will go in to bat or Virat. We did not handle that situation well.”
“We were having a bat at the nets, the wickets were not very good and he got hit. He didn’t react too badly, so we thought he was fine to bat. By the time he came in, he was in a lot of pain and unable to bat. We were only able to give Virat 5-7 minutes to prepare. That created some unrest in the dressing room,” Dhoni added
This is a very shocking statement as there is absolutely no scope for “dressing room misunderstandings” at the international level. Dhoni has been criticized time and again for his laid back and defensive approach in Test cricket, and this statement about “dressing room misunderstanding” will only lead to more such questions.
Why did Team India’s team management not consult the medical staff when Shikhar Dhawan got injured in the nets during the practice session? Why there was no communication on the part of Dhoni and Dhawan regarding Dhawan’s injury? And why Virat Kohli was sent to start the day 4 with Cheteshwar Pujara when Dhawan had to come out to bat 45 minutes later?
These are the questions that every Indian cricket is asking after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’ statement.
But Dhoni, who has lost 14 out of his last 18 away Test matches as the captain India, said he is happy with the manner in which his team played.
“I’m pretty happy with how we have played. We have shortcomings, but I’m happy how the bowlers have shaped up. We have tried both five bowlers and an extra batsman, but neither has really grabbed the opportunity…For a few of them, they are coming here for the first time and they haven’t really succumbed to the pace factor,” Dhoni said.
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By The Cricket Lounge
