Coming from a 2-1 test series loss against England and an ODIseriesdefeat atthe hands of Pakistan, India recovered well with a 4-0 thrashing of the Aussies. With a clean performance andclear improvements in the batting department, India moved to within 2 rating points of England in the test rankings climbing up to third.
In the first match the class of veteran Sachin Tendulkar and skipper MS Dhoni, who scored a double century, put India in a firm position to win the match. Ravi Ashwin did the magic with the ball picking up twelve wickets. But it was the young Ravindra Jadeja who took the crucial wicket of Michael Clarke stopping him from causing too much damage.
The Australians were outplayed in the second test, Bhuvneshwar Kumar starting things offwith three wickets. Then the onslaught of Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay put India in prime position for a second victory.
Mitchell Starc’s 99 took the Aussies past 400. However the ruthless aggression from Shikhar Dhawan and the calmness of his opening partner Murali Vijay saw India take control yet another time. Then tight bowling from Jadeja and Kumar saw India seal the victory. It became 3-0.
Having never been whitewashed since 1969, the Australians weren’t going to give up easily. The mystery of Ashwin and the pace of Ishant Sharma restricted the Aussies to 262. Nathan Lyon managed to pull things back with seven wickets. But then Jadeja struck gold picking his first 5 wickets haul in test cricket. The target caused no problems as Pujara supported by the talented Virat Kohli steered India to their first 4-0 win ever.
This new Indian side looks a promising one. The bold decision of the selectors paid off as the new openers succeeded in their mission to score runs. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir will have to work hard if they are to receive another test cap. With the opening problems resolved and the middle order in fine command,the batting unit looks complete. With a mixture of potential and experience, the Indian batting line up finally looks settled.
An experienced, intelligent captain and a talented group of players are making the Indian team looking very dangerous. The young Bhuvneshwar Kumar is able to swing the ball. And the talented Jadeja is unplayable in home conditions. The pace duo of Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma look deadly when fit. The mystery of Ashwin and the turn of Ojha complete this bowling attack. The real test starts in a few months time when these gifted players have to produce the goods overseas. Could this be the team that put India back on top?
[FaraazAnjum studies in Year 8, Hill House School, Doncaster, the United Kingdom]