The first Test of India vs Australia 2014-15 series was one of the most intriguing Test matches of recent times. It started on a very emotional note, but ended very aggressively as both the teams were looking to win. Young Team India led by their aggressive captain Virat Kohli, surprised one and all with the manner in which they played on the fifth day. Many thought that Team India would try to play the day out and go for a draw, but Virat Kohli made it clear to his boys that they are only playing to win.
Although, India lost the close encounter, but the manner in which they went about the chase will give them a lot of confidence for the remainder of the Test series.
Now, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the joined the squad for the second Test in Brisbane and he will resume his services as the captain of India and Virat Kohli will be his deputy.
In a pre-match press conference, MS Dhoni hinted towards Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion, who was left out in the first Test match. Karn Sharma, who made his debut in the first Test, was picked ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Although, Karn Sharma tried his best and bowled with a big heart, he wasn’t able to make an impact in the Test match. On the fourth and fifth day, the Adelaide pitch was turning square, but still Karn couldn’t make an impact that one would expect from a specialist spinner.
MS Dhoni didn’t say anything directly about the changes in the squad for the second Test, but did highlight Ravichandran Ashwin‘s selection claims after the off-spinner was left out of the series opener in Adelaide. “Ashwin is definitely someone who can bat lower down the order,” Dhoni said.
In the latest Reliance ICC Rankings for Test All Rounders, Ravichandran Ashwin is the second best all-rounder in Test cricket. Ashwin’s inclusion in the side will add more depth to the batting line up. Ravichandran Ashwin has a good batting technique for Test cricket and he has the ability to bat for a long period of time.
Talking about his bowling, which is obviously his area of specialization, there are quite a few left-handed batsmen in Australia’s batting line-up and Ashwin’s right-arm off spin will be the perfect plot as far as India’s spin options are concerned.
Many have argued that India should pick 4 fast bowlers for the Brisbane Test, but considering Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s liking for spinners, it is highly unlikely that Dhoni would go with four fast bowlers.
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By The Cricket Lounge
