Legendary Sunil Gavaskar believes the panic in the Australian team is palpable after suffering a huge loss of 295 runs in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India at the Optus Stadium, Perth.
Gavaskar reckons some Australian cricket boffins want changes in the team after their massive loss whereas some feel there is not enough unity among the players after Josh Hazlewood’s press conference at the end of third day’s play.
“The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, what with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and some even hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s media interview at the end of the third day’s play, where he suggested that it was up to the batters to now do something,” Gavaskar wrote for Sportstar.
Meanwhile, Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test match due to a side strain but Gavaskar called the fast bowler’s injury a ‘mystery’.
“Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference. Mystery, mystery — the like of which used to be common in Indian cricket in the past. Now it’s the Aussies, and like old McDonald, I’m simply loving it.”
On the other hand, the Little Master showered praise on Yashasvi Jaiswal for bouncing back in style after getting dismissed for a duck in the first innings. Jaiswal scored a majestic knock of 161 runs whereas Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 to add salt to Australia’s wounds.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal showed he is a quick learner was evident by the straightness of his bat at the start of the second innings. As he settled down with wonderful guidance from K.L. Rahul at the other end, one could see the Aussie shoulders sagging at the inevitability of another big hundred from this prodigy. Their heads drooped even more as Virat Kohli cashed in on the solid platform set by the opening pair to get another century in Australia,” Gavaskar added in his column.
Gavaskar was also impressed with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-round performance on his debut. Reddy top-scored with 41 in the first innings and then scored a quickfire 38 off 27 balls in the second innings. The medium pacer also dismissed Mitchell Marsh, who chopped the ball back onto his stumps in the second essay.
“The most impressive innings was from Nitish Reddy. He showed an awareness of what was required which belied the fact that he was making his Test debut. Even in the first innings, he displayed a refreshing grasp of scoring opportunities and ended up as the top scorer. His bowling too came in handy, and his fielding was outstanding. Here is a man for the future,” Gavaskar continued.
The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.
