India’s dismal show in the second innings of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne has been criticised by former players and experts, especially for the batting unit’s failure to learn from mistakes — highlighted by Rishabh Pant‘s poor shot-selection that became the turning point of the match when there was just a session left to play out for a draw.
The top order wore a changed look with Rohit Sharma returning to open, KL Rahul dropping to No. 3 and Shubman Gill left out of the eleven. But the result didn’t change as India’s specialist batters, barring opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s twin half-centuries, continued to disappoint.
Analysing India’s 284-run defeat on Monday, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali qustioned the role of chief coach Gautam Gambhir and his staff.
“Shabash hai Gautam Gambhir saab ko. One-day mei to bada left-right combination kar rahe the. Aaj bhejna tha No. 6 pe Nitish (Reddy) ko. Chahe woh jaldi out ho jata, pata toh chalta kuchh kiya aapne, (congratulations to Gambhir; he keeps advocating for left-right combination in one-day cricket, should have sent Nitish at No. 6; even if he had failed, it would have showed the coach tried something),” said Basit.
“Pata nahi kaun batting coach hai jisko yeh nahi pata ki kis tarah survive kiya jata hai aur kis bowler ko kis tarah khela jata hai (I dont know who is the bating coach who can’t advise on how to survive and how to play a particular bowler),” he continued.
India were bowled out for 155 in their second innings, losing their last seven wickets for 34 runs. The batting collapse was triggered by a poor shot from wickekteeper-batter Rishabh Pant (30), who fell into a trap set by Australia captain Pat Cummins.
With the partnership between Jaiswal and Pant reaching 88, Cummins brought on part-time spinner Travis Head in hope of Pant going after him. It happened exactly that way, and Pant got out playing an irresponsible shot, which gave Australia the opportunity they were looking for.
“Boht hi bekar cricket kheli (very poor cricket),” said Basit.
“Brilliant planning by Australia. They didnt’t give up and believed in themselves.
“That’s the difference between batters of the ’90s and those who came after 2010. The ones from the ’80s and ’90s could understand the opposition’s plan quickly, that this player has come on to buy a wicket — the way Head came on. A player from the past would not have got out; even if he played a shot, it would have been a grounded one.”
“Rishabh Pant ne wohi bewakoofi kari. Chhakka marne gaye. Kya hua? Kisko nuksaan hua? Mulk ko aur team ko (Pant did a foolish thing, went for a six. What happeed? Who suffered? His country and his team),” Basit analysed.
“That shot changed the entired match. Upar wale ne yeh (pointing at his head) diya hai na, isko use karte hain (God has given you the brain, it should be used).”
The win gave Australia a 2-1 lead heading into the final Test in Sydney, beginning January 3.
