Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes India might win by an innings if they score 280 to 300 runs in the first innings of the opening Test match at the VCA, Nagpur. Australia was bundled out for a meager score of 177 runs and India is in a strong position at 117-1, with Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin at the crease.
The Indian bowlers were right on the money on the opening day of the Test match. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with figures of 5-47 in his fine spell. Furthermore, Ravichandran Ashwin scalped three wickets and bowled at his best.
Jadeja was making a return to International cricket after a long break of five months but he was able to hit the straps. The pitch had enough assistance for the spinners and both the Indian spinners made the most of their experience to deliver the goods for the home team.
Michael Clarke said on Big Sports Breakfast, “I know we haven’t got many runs and that’s a tough one for Patty to work with, so he’s trying to give his bowlers some protection, but you want the batter to try and take a risk.”
Clarke continued: “You want them to try and take a risk and hit that one over the top. If they hit one or two over the top, fair play, put him back. But he’s just got to be really smart with his tactics here. If India get 280 to 300, mate, they might not have to bat again.”
Clarke added he was surprised with Pat Cummins’ tactics on the opening day of the Test match. Cummins had long-on for Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy and Clarke believes it was defensive captaincy.
“I know they’ve only got 177 runs on the board, but you’ve still got to look to take wickets. “I was surprised at Pat Cummins’ tactics yesterday. He had a long-on every ball Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy bowled.”
Clarke continued: “If the ball’s spinning like you think it is, for them to try and hit one over mid-on’s head brings in an inside edge to mid-wicket, brings in stumped, brings in bowled, brings in caught bat-pad.”
India is in a strong position in the first Test match and Australia will have to bounce quickly to stay alive in the contest.
