Pandya’s absence gives India bowling headache
COLLECTIVE BATTING
Posting decent first innings scores is crucial for India in getting the upper-hand against an Australian batting line-up devoid of their best two players in Steve Smith and David Warner. Because of their absence the Australian attack will be desperate to restrict India’s scoring in order to give their batsmen a greater chance to post winning totals.
With Kohli being far and away the outstanding batsman in the series his input will be decisive but he can’t do it all on his own.
As India found out in both South Africa and England he needs some help from the other top order batsmen.
Before the series even commences India is handicapped. The absence of seam bowling allrounder Hardik Pandya reduces the likelihood of India playing two spinners and given Australia’s frailty in this regard, it’s a lucky break for the hosts.
If Australia decide to play Travis Head this will mean four of the top five batsmen are left-handed and that points to Ravi Ashwin being the preferred spinner.
If India do decide on two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to get the nod because his presence will shorten the specialist batting, so his ability to provide lower order runs will be a difference maker.
PANT, RIGHT CHOICE?
Either way India is dammed; if they play six batsmen it leaves the bowling short and if they only play five, this will provide extra incentive for the Australian bowlers to rip through the top order.
There is no easy solution.
The inclusion of Rishabh Pant as keeper is a bit of a gamble. In Australia a keeper needs to be able cover a lot of width (both left and right) standing back and I’m not sure Pant’s footwork will allow him to do that successfully. Dropped catches are damaging in any series but even more so if runs are at a premium.
There’s no doubt that India have a tremendous opportunity to create some meaningful history but they’ll need to do everything right to beat Australia. Even a depleted Australia is like a wounded Tiger; a dangerous opponent.