Three reasons why India shouldn’t overreact to Adelaide thrashing as Gabba awaits

SEN Cricket’s Gerard Whateley doesn’t think India will overreact to their 10-wicket loss against Australia in Adelaide.

After convincingly winning the first Test in Perth, the visitors didn’t even claim a session across three days in the City of Churches as they were bowled out for 180 and 175 while Australia replied with 337 and 0/19.

While they would be disappointed to go down in such a fashion, Whateley thinks there are three main aspects that the side can blame part of their loss on instead of believing that their overall form has taken a big dip.

“They'll look at three things in the Test match so that they don't overreact,” Whateley told SEN Mornings.

“The first one was they don't play much pink ball cricket, so I think the circumstances suited Australia. 

“The second is they missed (Nathan) McSweeney when he was on three in that night session and that might have prised things open, that was a bad miss.

“Then (Mohammed) Siraj dropped (Travis) Head on 76 when the game was still evenly poised.

“So, I don't think they'll be overly perturbed by it. They have won at the Gabba at their most recent Test match there and it's back to the red ball.”

Whateley also thinks that India can easily identify any issues they have in their XI with their pace bowling stocks at the top of that list.

Thankfully for India, Whateley believes that they have the depth in that department to rebound well with the ball in Brisbane providing superstar Jasprit Bumrah is fully fit and ready to play after he appeared to hurt his groin in Adelaide.

“Their issues are clear,” Whateley said.

“I don't think Rana can play the next Test as they do have fast bowling depth and they're going to have to dip into that. 

“Now, I suspect and the real issue is how bad is Bumrah’s groin injury? He bowled the one over yesterday in what looked like a fitness test and he failed that fitness test. 

“So, is he going to be there at the Gabba? He's still their central figure in the series and it would be absolutely profound if he is not there or not quite right. 

“They have Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna, so they do have choices. 

“I imagine they have to drop Rana and make a few adjustments, but they'll fancy themselves back with the red ball.”

The series is now tied 1-1 with the third Test between Australia and India beginning on Saturday, December 14. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.