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Cheteshwar Pujara, a veteran Indian cricketer, has voiced serious concerns regarding the Indian team's bowling capabilities in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. His critique, delivered with uncharacteristic bluntness, centers on the team's inability to consistently take the required 20 wickets in a Test match. The series, currently tied at 1-1, hangs precariously in the balance, with the upcoming Boxing Day Test in Melbourne holding immense significance. Pujara's assessment casts a shadow over India's prospects, highlighting a significant weakness that could undermine their chances of victory.
Pujara's primary concern is the perceived inadequacy of the support bowlers beyond Jasprit Bumrah. While Bumrah's exceptional performance with both the red and pink ball has been a bright spot, the lack of consistent support from the other end leaves a gaping hole in the bowling attack. He specifically singled out Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja, suggesting their contributions as the fourth and fifth bowlers are insufficient for Test match success. This assessment raises crucial questions about team selection and strategy, forcing a difficult evaluation of the balance between batting and bowling strengths within the team. The recent retirement of Ashwin further complicates the issue, limiting options in the spin bowling department.
The problem is further exacerbated by the lack of consistent performance from the top-order batsmen. While the middle and lower middle order, along with Bumrah and Akash Deep, have shown some resilience with the bat, the top order's struggles have added immense pressure on the bowling unit. Pujara highlights the significant challenge posed by Mitchell Starc, who has emerged as a dominant force in the series. Starc’s improved accuracy, line, and length have rendered him a far more threatening bowler than in previous encounters. Pujara describes a marked difference in Starc's bowling, highlighting the increased precision and lack of loose deliveries, making him a far more dangerous prospect compared to even Cummins and Hazlewood. This strategic shift in Starc’s bowling has significantly impacted India’s batting line-up, particularly in the crucial first five overs of an innings.
Pujara's analysis extends to the strategic deployment of bowlers, suggesting that India needs to carefully manage Starc’s bowling spells. He observes that Starc’s effectiveness diminishes as the match progresses due to fatigue, suggesting a strategic approach of using him in shorter bursts during the initial phases of an innings. This underscores the need for the Indian top-order batsmen to successfully navigate Starc’s early spells, providing the foundation for a stronger innings. However, the present situation is such that the top-order has struggled against Starc, often leaving the burden of responding to his threat to the lower middle-order and tail-enders. This inconsistency in batting highlights a systemic problem, where the team's batting prowess is not providing the necessary foundation for the bowling attack to excel. The lack of consistent performance in both aspects of the game points to a deep-seated vulnerability that needs immediate attention.
In essence, Pujara's candid assessment underlines a critical juncture for the Indian team. The lack of sufficient bowling firepower, coupled with the top-order batting woes, presents a formidable challenge as the series progresses. The upcoming matches demand a strategic rethink, requiring careful consideration of team composition and tactical adjustments. The team needs to address these weaknesses swiftly, particularly in terms of bolstering the bowling attack and strengthening the top order's ability to withstand the early onslaught from the Australian pace bowlers, especially Starc. The lack of a cohesive strategy and the apparent vulnerability in both batting and bowling leave India’s chances hanging precariously in the balance. Unless significant changes are made, the series could slip away from their grasp.
Source: "Not Able To Do The Job": Cheteshwar Pujara's Unfiltered Dig At India Duo Ahead of Boxing Day Test