Another quick finish? This is the big question hanging over the second Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy starting Friday in Delhi, with the nature of the Arun Jaitley Stadium surface having dominated chatter all week. No Australian cricket team has come back from 0-1 to win a Test series in India, and the manner in which the visitors were bowled out for just 91 in their second innings in Nagpur has left many wondering whether they can rally from here given their injury concerns.
The sight of a rather brown and dry Kotla pitch suggests another trial by spin for batsmen on both sides, which brings into focus, apart from the visitors’ ability to bat against sharp turn, the combinations of both the Indian and Australian teams.
The pair of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin claimed 15 wickets between them in the series opener in Nagpur, while left-arm spinner Axar Patel managed just one from 13 overs. However, Axar’s career-best 84* from the No 9 spot was instrumental in India batting once and getting to 400, so he should hold onto his spot. And yet there will be the temptation to play the left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, given how drier the Delhi pitch looks in comparison to Nagpur. If so, who goes out? Do India pick four spinners in hopes of tormenting Australia’s batsmen on a slow and low track?
Shreyas Iyer’s return after he missed the first Test suggests he should rightfully claim his place at No 5, which means Suryakumar Yadav would have to drop out. There is the possibility, given the dryness of the surface, that the SG ball will deteriorate faster and so having two bowlers with the skill that Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj does give India an added edge.
Australia are believed to be pondering playing three spinners for the first time in India, a period spanning 51 Tests going back to 1956, but as for the availability of Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green there is not a clear picture yet. Both put in the hard yards at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, and should either be passed fit you would expect Australia to draft them into their XI. However, if the Delhi pitch plays slower than the one in Nagpur, with minimal bounce, there will be the temptation to field three spinners.
The uncapped left-arm tweaker Matt Kuhnemann has linked up with the squad and team coach Andrew McDonald termed him a “live chance to play”. Scott Boland looks certain to sit out this Test, as does Matt Renshaw, and in their place, we could see Travis Head and a spinner return should Green and Starc not make it. The other spinning option is allrounder Ashton Agar, who will add to Australia’s batting depth and spin the ball away from India’s several right-handers.
But, no matter what combinations the Australians mull over, staying alive in the series will depend more on how they play on the pitch and how they emulate their opponents. The way Jadeja and Axar applied themselves on day two and three in Nagpur is the template to follow.
Indian teams have not lost a Test match in Delhi since 1987, winning ten matches and drawing two since then.
