Hosts may’ve to ‘chase down’ history to reel in first Test

NEW DELHI: When the first few deliveries in the first Test against Australia saw puffs of dust come off a bone dry Pune pitch on Thursday, the early consensus was India’s spinners would have a field day.

After a sensational batting collapse on Day 2 (105) triggered Australia left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, India have conceded an overall 298-run lead to Australia --- the visitors are 143/4 in the second innings --- the hosts face a massive battle to avoid going 1-0 down. Unless India produce a magical spell of bowling to dismiss Australia early on Saturday, the hosts could be staring at a huge fourth-innings target.

Only once before has a fourthinnings total of 300 plus been achieved in India. The hosts overhauled 387 set by England in

the first Test in 2008. But that win was set up by a whirlwind knock by Virender Sehwag (68-ball 83) before Sachin Tendulkar (103no) and Yuvraj Singh (85no) raised an unbroken 163-run stand for the fifth wicket to take India home.

Crucially, then England were only hoping to draw. Here, Australia scent blood after few gave them any chance coming into this series. Compared to that MA

Chidambaram stadium pitch, the MCA Stadium track is affording sharp turn with deliveries by spinners taking off from good length.

India will have to tackle more than a deteriorating pitch. Opener KL Rahul has a shoulder injury. Skipper Virat Kohli’s first innings duck will be weighing on the team’s mind and Ajinkya Rahane’s frailty against spin was again exposed.