The second day of the Test in Ranchi was more evenly matched compared to the first, with the India losing just one wicket in response to Australia’s 451. Here are some takeaways from today’s play.
Jadeja’s near one-man show
The Indian bowlers, as a collective, looked off colour on the first day on a surface that responded better to the batting side. The pitch didn’t change much in character on the second day, but Ravindra Jadeja proved that you can take wickets if you are disciplined. Aided by an attacking field setting provided by Ajinkya Rahane, in one spell, Jadeja bowled four consecutive maidens and in the process claimed Glenn Maxwell. Jadeja looked to bowl it on the rough outside the off stump and drew the batsmen to come forward and play. The ball that got Pat Cummins was quite a ripper, beating him with turn and hitting the stumps. Jadeja effectively took a sixth wicket, via a run out. There was a touch of MS Dhoni in this – he gathered a throw from KL Rahul, and sensing that he didn’t have time to turn around and break the stumps, he cleverly back-flicked it to the stumps, catching Josh Hazlewood just inches short of the crease. Playing in Dhoni’s hometown, it was a fitting tribute to the former captain.
We’ve been expecting you, Mr Cummins
The last time Pat Cummins played a Test match was way back in November 2011. One humorous tweet pointed out that in the five and a half years since his return to Test cricket, Australia have had four prime ministers! Cummins has missed 64 Tests in that period and if you thought that number was large, you will be surprised to know that he’s seventh on the list of the most consecutive matches missed between the first and second Tests. The others are Les Jackson (96), Keith Andrew (79), Brad Hogg (78), Ryan Sidebottom (78), Malinga Bandara (69) and Bob Taylor (65). Cummins has faced one injury crisis after another in his short career. Is the worst of it over?
India’s solid start
India’s openers added 91 today. To understand why this is such a big deal, you will have to look at it from the context of the series. Prior to this, India’s opening stands in the first two Tests made for dismal reading – 26, 10, 11, 39. All three openers in the series so far are experienced so you would expect better. KL Rahul and M Vijay applied themselves better today and it was crucial since India are chasing 451. They were tested by Pat Cummins’ pace and bounce and when the spinners came on, employed the sweep a lot more. Rahul was the more dominant partner, but Vijay supported him well by dropping anchor, waiting 52 balls for his first boundary. This stand ensured that Virat Kohli would have an entire night at least to let his shoulder heal.
Five bowlers or four?
As we have seen in this Test season, nothing is set in stone as far as India’s bowling composition is concerned. In Pune, India played five specialist bowlers and yet lost heavily. In Bangalore, it was back to four and India still managed to block Australia from chasing 188. In Ranchi, with Australia’s batsmen asserting themselves, there were murmurs that India were missing a fifth bowler. Part of the reason was R Ashwin, who didn’t look as effective. Though he did take a wicket, it came at a price – he had an economy rate of 3.35, costly by his standards. The batsmen played him a lot more confidently, using their feet. Glenn Maxwell did well to not be intimidated by him. On a wearing pitch, Ashwin may well come into his own and put this five-bowler debate to rest.
Still a good pitch
Maxwell, speaking after the day’s play, said the pitch was “a bit up and down, and turned a bit more” when asked to compare it to the opening day. Jadeja got a few to spin sharply and beat the bat, but on the second day it was far from unplayable, seeing the scores. Experts believe it will continue to be a good surface to bat on through the third day so it’s important India make the best use of it tomorrow before the natural deterioration occurs from the fourth. This only highlights the importance of the opening stand.
