Allan Border: India only need slight improvements to hit back

The Gabba Test was a tremendous game to watch because of the scoring rate, which, at over four runs an over, I think is the highest of any Test played.

India had Australia wobbling and will perhaps rue not scoring more runs — another 50 to 100 would have balanced the game — in their first innings and losing six for 90-odd on the second morning. Still, they posted a good score and had Australia under pressure.

The Indians started to indulge in the “chirpy chat” that they are not necessarily famous for — that’s more an Australian trait. And that perhaps made them lose focus on what’s more important: getting wickets and keeping the momentum going. They played the man instead of the ball and the consequence was Australia put on at least 100 to 150 more than they probably should have.

Maybe India have had the wrong end of the close calls as far as umpiring is concerned. I’m not sure whether there’s a lot of talk about the Decision Review System system in India, but certainly it’s caused a lot of comment in Australia about whether India should finally relent. Both sides copped a couple of decisions that went the wrong way, but I feel a 1-1 scoreline would probably have been on the cards if the system were in place.

Going into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, both sides have a few injury worries. Ravindra Jadeja is out (I’ve been told that a left-arm spinner, Akshar Patel, has been drafted in) and if I were India I’d be thinking about bringing in a left-arm spinner. The other option is not to change the side at all as they have played quite well and just lost certain moments.

India can put Australia under enormous pressure because they’ve got a few injury problems too. Mitch Marsh is out, with debutant Joe Burns coming in, David Warner’s got a sore finger, Shane Watson got hit on the head at nets on Tuesday and wasn’t at his best, and Brad Haddin has been struggling.

Yes, India have lost two Tests, but they can take heart that they were in the contest for most of those games. A slight improvement in all areas at Melbourne could see them well and truly back in the series.

Australia will bring much of the same to the table but I think there’s still a vulnerability to this Aussie side that India can get the better of, if they hold their ground.

— Gameplan