Preview: India vs Australia – 2nd Test
First Published : 01 Mar 2013, 11:50
Last Modified : 01 Mar 2013, 14:47
What
The second Test between India and Australia
When
March 2 to 6, 2013
Where
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
The Teams
India
After the Chennai Test, MS Dhoni provided ample hints that he will not tamper with the winning team combination in the second Test. That means local boy Pragyan Ojha will miss out on playing in Hyderabad despite his recent exploits in Test cricket as one half of the spin pair with R Ashwin. Dhoni insisted on persisting with Ravindra Jadeja as the left-arm spinner because of his superior batting skills to Ojha. To live up to his captain’s faith, Jadeja will have to work hard on knowing where his off-stump is. Another concern for India is their opening batsmen. Virender Shewag and Murali Vijay contributed a grand total of 37 between them in the Chennai Test. Dhoni spoke about being patient with them. However, now it’s their responsibility to prove their captain’s faith isn’t misplaced.
Australia
Three fast bowlers, one pace all-rounder and a lone spinner – Australia’s ploy of playing to their own strengths didn’t work out too well for them in the first Test. Given that the wicket and conditions are expected to be similar in Hyderabad, Michael Clarke and the team management will be in a dilemma over their bowling combination. It will be interesting to see if Xavier Doherty joins Nathan Lyon to strengthen the spin department. If so, which fast bowler will sit out? Resting James Pattinson in fear of injury will rob Australia of their best bowler thus far. They cannot afford to do away with an experienced Peter Siddle’s undying commitment and untiring stamina with a plethora of young bowlers around.
Key Players
India
R Ashwin was the biggest thorn in Australia’s side in Chennai. With the rhythm and confidence he displayed in the first Test, he could well go on to be their nemesis in the series. However, India need other bowlers to provide support to Ashwin, which wasn’t the case in the first Test – out of 20 Aussie wickets, Ashwin accounted for 12. With the opposition line-up packed with left-handers, India would expect Harbhajan Singh to raise his game and join the party with his younger off-spin colleague.
Australia
The value of Michael Clarke’s bat cannot be overstated in this series. The captain is Australia’s best answer to India’s spin strength. Fleet-footed, classy and in-form, Clarke is the glue that binds the Australian batting.
Trivia
- Only thrice have India lost a Test series (comprising at least three matches) after winning the first match. The first such instance was against England in 1984-85.
- In home Tests since 2012, spinners have accounted for 82.45 percent of wickets taken by Indian bowlers.
Stats
Average first-innings score at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium - 394
Average second-innings score at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium - 316
Result summary at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad:
|
Won by side batting 1st |
Won by side batting 2nd |
Tied |
Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Head-to-head:
|
Matches |
Played |
Ind won |
Aus won |
Tied |
Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Overall |
83 |
21 |
38 |
1 |
23 |
|
In India |
43 |
16 |
12 |
1 |
14 |
|
At Hyderabad RGS |
0 |
Form guide (most recent listed first):
India: Won, Drawn, Lost, Lost, Won (2 wins, 2 losses)
Australia: Lost, Won, Won, Won, Lost (3 wins, 2 losses)
Squads:
India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith.
