India vs Australia, 3rd Test: Preview, Kohli and Smith’s Maturity Will Be Tested

India vs Australia 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been an instant hit among Cricket lovers as along with a back and forth grass-tearing competitions, we have also witnessed another controversy between the two teams.

Yes, sledging has been a part of Australian strategies since the dawn of time, whenever they play on Indian soil but what happened in the 2nd Test in Bengaluru, left many of us shell-shocked and questing the sportsmanship of Steve Smith.
 

Also Read: BCCI Withdraws Complaint Against Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Here’s Why

Indians were humiliated at Pune after losing the game to Australia within 3 days and by 333 runs, Steve 0’Keefe being the visitor’s navigator but the tables were turned at M Chinnaswamy Stadium and it was the other side ending the game with shame on their faces.

Everything said and done, the previous two games were very different from one another and the strip at offer at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, will now test how mature Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are as a skipper.

Uncertain bounce, sharp turn, the ball producing puffs of dust, and spinners targeting foot marks all day long, this is how typical Indian pitches are and the same is expected in Ranchi. The venue will host its first ever Test and considering that teams have lost defending 250 runs here, the strip will definitely be the biggest test for both the teams.

India vs Australia, 3rd Test will test a batsman’s skills to the hit, as the game will not only comprise of scoring with cross-batted swipes which tend to be fruitful in limited overs cricket but from 16th March to 20th March, it will be all about staying there on the crease, defying all odds and tackling the heart-piercing deliveries from the spinners.

Even fast bowlers will have their share of moments during the 3rd Test as we have seen them prospering under the leadership of Former Captain MS Dhoni and we also expect to witness a sword with two edges in this game. Whoever bowls first, would need to put pressure via both the spin and fast bowling attacks in order to claim quick wickets.

As said earlier, India vs Australia, 3rd Test will be all about being on the crease and striking the ball on every lose delivering because those will be the runs that will matter the most.

Australians have shown some great level of observation and their homework has bore fruit in dismantling the hosts with both the handle and the ‘Kookaburra’. The whole lineup consists of some power hitter but the one department they will have to focus more on is the lower order. After the 6th batsman, Aussies have struggled to punish most of the loose deliveries and an improvement here, coupled with their defensive tactic can take them to the lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Nathan Lyon, who claimed 8 wickets while conceding just 50 runs, will also be a key player in the 3rd test.

As for India, the form of Virat Kohli and the contribution from the lower order remain the biggest of worries coming into the Test at JSCA International Stadium Complex. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the dynamic duo has taken a bucketful of wickets in Bengaluru after the mediocre outing by their standards in Pune, and this would definitely give the hosts a lot a confidence.

Murali Vijay also appears to have recovered from the shoulder injury and is expected to join Lokesh Rahul at the top order after Abhinav Mukund not doing much as his substitute.

In the backdrop, the David Warner-Ravichandran Ashwin duel has also emerged as a spotlight contender. The off-spinner has dismissed Warner nine times in the last 23 Test innings and the Australian opener has been seen mulling over playing the reverse-sweep more frequently in order to upset the joint highest wicket-taker of the ongoing series.

Talking about duels, it will also be interesting to see Virat Kohli and Steve Smith facing each other after the DRS controversy. Surprisingly BCCI decided to withdraw their complaint against the Aussie Skipper and Indian fans are waiting to listen to Virat Kohli’s roar on the field this time.

P.S We hope to see these two teams uplifting the Spirit of Game and if there is a fight, it better be with the ‘tools of trade’ and not the mouth.

14th March, 2017
Rohan Jaitly