India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant drops debutant Will Pucovski twice only to see him notch up a half-century as Australia post 166-2 on rain-marred Day One of third Test
Rishabh Pant gives Aussie Will Pucovski a reprieve at the SCG yesterday. PIC/AFP
SYDNEY: Two days before the match, India’s fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar assembled the whole team in the centre of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Standing in the middle of the players’ huddle, Sridhar spoke passionately for five minutes. The message seemed quite clear—the fielding standards had to be raised. For the next 40 minutes, all the players, including wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, did numerous drills and catching to ensure they were ready for the third Test.
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Two chances in three overs
All the hard work had been done, but when it mattered the most, Pant let two opportunities slip. In the space of 18 balls, Pant dropped Australia’s debutant opener Will Pucovski twice. The first was a simple edge from a forward prod off Ravichandran Ashwin, and the second, a loopy catch that went above him which Pant failed to collect.
Dropped catches are part of most matches but the fact that both chances were created after sustained pressure is what hurt India the most. More importantly, after the second reprieve Marnus Labuschagne and Pucovski plundered 37 runs in six overs as Australia gained momentum. India’s bowlers have been disciplined throughout the series and have created opportunities, but on a flat SCG pitch, chances are not going to come by frequently.
Bumrah, Siraj outstanding
The slowness of the pitch was evident right from the start and the visiting bowlers had to adapt. In fact, India’s plan of targeting the stumps with a packed leg-side field was ideal. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were outstanding throughout the day. Siraj continues to improve with each spell. He is a thinking bowler and can conjure up a plan and execute it well.
Against David Warner, he shaped the ball into him, a delivery he learnt from South African Dale Steyn during the IPL. Rahane adjusted the field by strengthening the leg side and Warner felt the inswinger was coming, but instead Siraj pushed the ball across him. There was very little change in his wrist position apart from the fingers being slightly spread wider on the ball. The wider ball lured Warner into the drive and he edged it to first slip.
India will need Siraj to back Bumrah up once again on Friday if the visitors are going to prevent Australia from making a big total. The pitch did take some spin later in the day and the manner in which Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowl will have a huge bearing on the match.
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