The India-Australia test series so far has been on the expected lines. The Australians have succumbed to the spin. Micheal Clarke seems to be the only batsman, who is able to negotiate the Indian spinners. The shot selection by the rest of the Australian batting lineup has been bizarre.
In the meanwhile, a few Indian players have really impressed. Albeit against a very weak Australian side, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's performances have been really impressive. So, now I am curious to see how the home performances carry forward when India travel abroad. I would keenly watching these players.
For me Cheteshwar Pujara has been the most impressive player in the Indian lineup. When Rahul Dravid retired, I had written that he was the last in the lineage of traditional test batsman. I would be so happy if Pujara proves me wrong. He does show signs of being a 'Giant' in the game. Before throwing up such huge words, it is important for us to remember that he has played only 11 test matches so far. He is still untested in foreign conditions. But let me confess, I have a quite confidence that Pujara will succeed. Firstly, I was looking at one his dismissals in his first tour of South Africa. Dale Steyn bowled a near unplayable delivery to him. The ball angled into his pads and then going away, hitting him plumb on the pads. Any young Indian batsman would have tried to flick such a delivery probably have his stumps shattered. But, Pujara played that ball with a straight bat. It is a different story that he still got beaten and was out. But, the approach was correct and that is what was impressive. Secondly, Pujara from his interviews comes across as a player who judges himself on his overseas performances. His discipline while at the crease is unbelievable. The price he keeps on his wicket is very high. So he has all the ingredients to be a very successful test cricketer. I would be highly surprised, if Pujara is not a big hit in the South African tour.
Now Ravichandran Ashwin - I am not as positive about Ashwin as I am about Pujara. Ashwin had a torrid tour of Australia. We still have not seen him how he would perform when the ball is not turning as sharply as it has been the home games he has played. To his credit though, he has some fantastic numbers. The big question his can he translate the home success into success in the overseas. Ashwin has shown tremendous improvement after a very disappointing home series versus England. Is it because he has really remodeled his bowling or is it just because the Australians are really poor players of spin? If I cross my heart and answer that question - the truth is 'I don't know'. That is why I am very curious to see if he would perform well in South Africa.
Finally Ravindra Jadeja - Let me make another confession. I have never been a Jadeja fan. But in this series he has really impressed me. There are couple of things in him which are very likable. First, he gets through his overs very quickly. Second, he bowls an impeccable line and length. He can just dry up one end. It may surprise everyone, but there is every chance that Jadeja would be successful in overseas conditions because of his amazing accuracy. I am not expecting him to star in South Africa, but I won't be surprised if he does.
I am just very curious to see these three players play in the South African tour.
In the meanwhile, a few Indian players have really impressed. Albeit against a very weak Australian side, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's performances have been really impressive. So, now I am curious to see how the home performances carry forward when India travel abroad. I would keenly watching these players.
For me Cheteshwar Pujara has been the most impressive player in the Indian lineup. When Rahul Dravid retired, I had written that he was the last in the lineage of traditional test batsman. I would be so happy if Pujara proves me wrong. He does show signs of being a 'Giant' in the game. Before throwing up such huge words, it is important for us to remember that he has played only 11 test matches so far. He is still untested in foreign conditions. But let me confess, I have a quite confidence that Pujara will succeed. Firstly, I was looking at one his dismissals in his first tour of South Africa. Dale Steyn bowled a near unplayable delivery to him. The ball angled into his pads and then going away, hitting him plumb on the pads. Any young Indian batsman would have tried to flick such a delivery probably have his stumps shattered. But, Pujara played that ball with a straight bat. It is a different story that he still got beaten and was out. But, the approach was correct and that is what was impressive. Secondly, Pujara from his interviews comes across as a player who judges himself on his overseas performances. His discipline while at the crease is unbelievable. The price he keeps on his wicket is very high. So he has all the ingredients to be a very successful test cricketer. I would be highly surprised, if Pujara is not a big hit in the South African tour.
Now Ravichandran Ashwin - I am not as positive about Ashwin as I am about Pujara. Ashwin had a torrid tour of Australia. We still have not seen him how he would perform when the ball is not turning as sharply as it has been the home games he has played. To his credit though, he has some fantastic numbers. The big question his can he translate the home success into success in the overseas. Ashwin has shown tremendous improvement after a very disappointing home series versus England. Is it because he has really remodeled his bowling or is it just because the Australians are really poor players of spin? If I cross my heart and answer that question - the truth is 'I don't know'. That is why I am very curious to see if he would perform well in South Africa.
Finally Ravindra Jadeja - Let me make another confession. I have never been a Jadeja fan. But in this series he has really impressed me. There are couple of things in him which are very likable. First, he gets through his overs very quickly. Second, he bowls an impeccable line and length. He can just dry up one end. It may surprise everyone, but there is every chance that Jadeja would be successful in overseas conditions because of his amazing accuracy. I am not expecting him to star in South Africa, but I won't be surprised if he does.
I am just very curious to see these three players play in the South African tour.
No comments:
Post a Comment