Aussies came prepared for Indian conditions in the best possible manner by setting up a camp in Dubai for 10 days. But all the mental application went out of the window in a tumultuous session at Bengaluru
Australia's Steve O'Keefe is bowled by Ravindra Jadeja during Day Four of the second Test in Bengaluru yesterday. Pic/PTI
Bengaluru: Australia came prepared for Indian conditions in the best possible manner by setting up a camp in Dubai for 10 days. But all the mental application and technique that they learnt there went out of the window in a tumultuous second session on the fourth day of the Test match.
Australia caved in under tremendous pressure from the hosts and they went on to lose six wickets for 11 runs in the space of just 64 balls. Till then, the Australian batsmen have combated every challenge thrown at them by the Indian spinners. They ensured that they don't lose wickets in a heap. But when the moment came to stand their ground and put up a fight, they crumbled.
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Different reality
One thing Australia will learn from this loss is that no amount of training can prepare you for the real match scenario. In Dubai, not a soul was in sight, as the Australian batsmen tackled the spinners out off the rough. On the fourth day in Bangalore, they had verbals fired at them from the opposition, close in fielders replaced plastic chairs and the silence at the ICC Cricket Academy ground was replaced by thunderous roars from a vociferous partisan crowd.
Oz panicked
It was in this hostile atmosphere batsmen were supposed to remain calm but instead they panicked. It led to poor decision-making in every aspect. David Warner tried an ambitious sweep shot off the first ball R Ashwin bowled from around the wicket. Shaun Marsh misinterpreted skipper Steve Smith's words and did not review a poor decision by the umpire. The captain himself stated he had a 'brain fade' as he looked at the dressing room for directions on whether he should review the decision after being adjudged leg-before wicket. Peter Handscomb's attempted wild slog, when he should have put his head down and batted correctly, simply suggested that he didn't want to be out there in the middle.
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Before the first Test, Australia had played the underdog tag perfectly and they managed to fly under the radar and managed to surprise India. After going one up, the Australians changed that tactic and decided to put pressure on India, a strategy that has backfired. The Australians must have realised by now that no amount of training can simulate the pressure of Test cricket in India.
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