December 2018
It was a very unusual game- day game in Adelaide after 4 years, a drop in pitch, more dry than expected and Virat Kohli won the toss. He must not have believed it after 9 consecutive toss loss.But it was starting to get to familiar territory of India not starting an overseas series well, lacking prep and losing early wickets with poor judgement outside off.
Kohli’s wicket was the surprise as Khawaja pulled one of thin air. Kohli has 100s the last 3 times he batted at Adelaide. And then came the Commandment of Che as Cricinfo put it. Pujara played beautifully one ball at a time, never ruffled, one of the true successors to the “Dravid” school of batting and composed an innings as worthy as that 233 from the Wall 15 years ago. He even accelerated towards end of day playing with tail to reach his ton. The unusual prevailed.
And then India bowled with purpose. Ashwin was at the top of his game and Bumrah showed how much he has matured. Travis Head played well and it looked like that old failing of not finishing off the tail will haunt Kohli but wasn’t to be as Ishant and then Bumrah did give India a crucial lead. The unusual.
And then Rahul gave a gritty start and Pujara did as Pujara wanted similar to that 73 not out by the Wall in the second innings all those years ago. Only, Pujara was putting the game away from Australia rather than chasing. But when the last 5 wickets tumbled it looked like the familiar was back.
They apparently call him “second innings Shami” in the circles. And he showed why as he, Bumrah and Ashwin persisted. Even when the tail once again threatened.It was a delightful game to watch.
India looked confident, determined and did not lose their calm other than that first morning. They have done the unusual.Can they maintain momentum and not give in to their own expectations?
We have a series on our hands.
THE CRICKET ROUND UP 