: The Indians trained under bright sunshine and a light breeze at the impressive practice facility outside the MCG here on Wednesday.
The weather was brilliant and the side’s spirits good. Shouts of encouragement from a bunch of enthusiastic spectators must have buoyed up the cricketers too.
But then, when the Boxing Day Test begins on Friday, the team-management would have to ensure that the harmony in the dressing room is maintained.
It is when the contest heats up that the emotions are, at times, stretched.
Skipper M.S. Dhoni admitted there was ‘unrest’ in the Indian dressing room after Shikhar Dhawan injured his wrist before the fourth morning of the second Test.
It has been learnt through reliable sources that there was actually a brief verbal exchange between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan after the former was dismissed.
It was Kohli who walked out with overnight batsman Cheteshwar Pujara when play started after Dhawan expressed his inability to bat. The vice-captain soon played on to Mitchell Johnson, triggering a collapse. When Kohli got back, he was involved in a spat with Dhawan. Perhaps, the vice-captain felt Dhawan’s injury was not serious enough for him not to resume his innings. Or that he did not get enough time to prepare for his innings.
The Indians were already peeved with the practice facilities at the ‘Gabba and the early wickets lost in a decisive phase must have accentuated the pain.
Such incidents have happened before in the game but the challenge facing the team management before the vital third Test is to quickly get past this episode.
The side has in Ravi Shastri, the Director of the team, a seasoned customer who can bring about sanity in the dressing room.
There could be some good news around the corner for the side too. Swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who appears to have recovered well from an ankle injury, bowled at the nets on Wednesday.
Bhuvneshwar was hardly in any discomfort as he bowled zestfully. He could well be in the scheme of things for the third Test.
While a young pace attack has operated with speed and some hostility, Bhuvneshwar’s two-way movement and control have been missed.
He could strike with the new ball — here the Kookaburra ball would be his ally — and operate with greater common sense against the tail. India has leaked runs against the Australian lower-order.
Bhuvneshwar’s return would also strengthen the Indian tail which has been found wanting in the first two Tests. He is a gritty lower-order batsman.
Gorgeous strikerThe left-handed Suresh Raina had an extended net session. He could replace the disappointing Rohit Sharma in the eleven.
Raina is a gorgeous striker of the ball but has, in the past, got into serious difficulties with short-pitched bowling from the quicks. He has subsequently striven to overcome this short-coming through various drills and deserves a look-in.
Being an attacking left-hander, he does add another dimension to the batting line-up. Raina will be tested by the short ball, though, if he returns.
Rohit’s talent has never been in question but the right-hander has been lacking in belief in this series. He has been tentative and has a few technical issues to resolve.
While there have been a few Indian failures and chinks, the 2-0 score-line does not reflect the way the series has been played. For most part, India has looked Australia in the eye and shown the kind of aggression that has surprised many Australians.
The side has fought in phases but not played the sort of consistent cricket that wins matches. Batting collapses and mental fade-outs while bowling have not helped India’s cause. Skipper Dhoni, surely, would be seeking a change in fortunes. He bounded in at the nets to bowl his seamers and smashed a few with the willow.
Perhaps, the Indians deserve better in this series.
