With the Test series in balance and pressure on India to make the right moves, hosts need to revert to five-bowler strategy against formidable Australia at Dharamsala
Indian spinners R Ashwin (left) and Ravindra Jadeja during a training session ahead of today’s fourth Test against Australia at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala yesterday. Pic/AFP
Both India and Australia are claiming, with a legitimate reason, to back their beliefs to have the momentum going into this game. On the one hand Australia managed to keep India at bay in Ranchi and on the other, India came back strongly after losing the toss on a flat pitch.
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In my opinion, India walks into this Test with a slight advantage by the virtue of really stretching Australia's resources and resolve in Ranchi. But still it won't be unfair to say that pressure is on the hosts to make all the moves and produce a result in their favour, for a series scoreline of 1-1 will not only help Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy but will also be considered as a victory. In the light of Australia's meek surrender in Asia over the last few years, not losing a series against the number one-ranked team is an outstanding feat.
Bowlers running out of fuel
After the loss in Pune, the Indian team shelved its successful five-bowler strategy for an extra batsman. Since India won the second game and the batting didn't fire as expected, they didn't consider revisiting the tactic in Ranchi. And that seemed to have backfired, for it became quite apparent that Indian bowlers ran out of fuel towards the end.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have bowled over 700 overs each in this long home Test season (No bowler in the history of Test cricket has bowled more overs in a season) and therefore might need some support to see through the final leg. While Jadeja is visibly fitter and therefore hasn't looked really tired, Ashwin's lack of penetration in the previous Test might have been due to extraordinary workload. The pitch in Dharamsala has donned a fairly brown look (a sign of being bereft of live grass and moisture) and that might be a temptation to add an extra spinner. While Jayant Yadav is ahead in the queue, I would like to see Kuldeep Yadav handed the Test cap.
Play Shami ahead of Ishant
In the last 12-18 months, Ishant has looked at his best - the seam is coming out bolt upright and he has also started bowling a lot fuller. In addition to that, he's clocking decent miles to go with his consistent lines. Unfortunately, the wickets column hasn't reflected his good work. He's taken only three wickets in this Test series at an average of 154. Every other seam bowler who has played in this series has taken more wickets (Pat Cummins has played only one game and still has more wickets than Ishant). While numbers do lie often, India might have to bite the bullet and drop Ishant for Mohammed Shami in this game. Recently, Shami, who played two List-A games, was a part of the team in Ranchi and has travelled to Dharamsala. All this indicates his coming back to fitness and even though it might be unfair on Ishant, it's more prudent to play Shami.
Focus on Rahane
There's a serious question mark over Kohli's availability and therefore, the focus shifts on his deputy, Ajinkya Rahane. Even though his half century in the second Test laid the foundation of a famous comeback, he's some distance away from his fluent best. If Kohli doesn't play, Rahane will have to shoulder the responsibility of holding the middle-order together. His role as a captain will also be under scrutiny, for India's bowling plans came under criticism in Ranchi.
Since India need to do the running around for a result, the role of a captain increases manifold. He won't just be expected to score as much as Kohli but also lead the team with the same energy and intent.
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