Indian batsmen finally give a positive spin in the Australia series

BANGALORE: The Indian team management would spend the least amount of time discussing how to play Australia’s spinners, even when it became apparent the four-Test series was likely to be played on turning pitches.

But after a shocking batting collapse for the third time, India have finally shown signs that they have regrouped and found a way out of a crisis, which also hurt their ego and reputation as the best players of spin.

In the first Test in Pune, it was unfancied left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe who caught them cold. On a dry turner, the 32-year-old used the straighter delivery to deliver the blows, capturing a match-haul of 13/70.

The Indian camp was left shellshocked when skipper Virat Kohli read it wrong, shouldering arms to be bowled by O’Keefe in the second innings. A first innings capitulation for 189 in the second Test in Bangalore left them facing serious questions on their technique.

On Monday, the Indian batsmen took a major step to redeem themselves as quality players of spin. Opening batsman, KL Rahul, has been in a different zone and collected a third halfcentury in four innings on Day 3, dismissed again only due to his eagerness to keep scoring. Out for 90 in first innings, he fell for 51.

The young opener demonstrated India’s intent in batting the moment he arrived with Abhinav Mukund. The footwork was sure, there was keenness to keep the score ticking, and there was no panic even when beaten by some sharp, early turn and bounce that off-spinner Nathan Lyon produced. Or, when a couple of difficult chances were not held.

Cheteshwar Pujara took over after Rahul nicked O’Keefe to slip and Virat Kohli fell to Josh Hazlewood. Both Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane constantly worked the ball around to keep the score ticking and not allow the Aussies to get a set field. The positive intent stood out. Australia have looked to play with the bat and not bother about being beaten by sharp turn. Indian batsmen seemed to have taken a leaf out the visitors’ book on Monday.

Rahane had been under pressure over his perceived weakness against spin. But Pujara faced the bulk of spin from Lyon and O’Keefe and Rahana a lot of Hazlewood and Starc before both settled down to control the game..