India’s Boxing Day Test dilemma: Batting woes and a chance for redemption

Dubai: Brisbane’s rain-soaked drama left India clinging to survival, but their gritty lower-order resistance sparked hope in the Men in Blue camp. As the Boxing Day Test looms, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides in this neck-and-neck series.

For India, the fightback in Brisbane offered a glimmer of resilience, but it also underscored glaring concerns in the top order. Meanwhile, Australia are grappling with their own struggles, as a brittle batting line-up and mounting injuries leave them in uncharted territory. With the series locked at 1-1, both teams are desperate to seize the advantage in Melbourne and book their places in the World Test Championship final.

India under pressure but fighting back

India are no strangers to pressure, but their situation has been compounded by a 3-0 series loss to New Zealand at home. However, they can take heart from their stunning victory in Perth, where they overcame a poor first innings to bowl out Australia for 104 and win by a significant margin.

Similarly, reducing Australia to 89 for 7 in the second innings in Brisbane was a morale-booster heading into the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Yet, both teams face significant challenges as they gear up for this crucial encounter.

Concerns for India’s batting line-up

India’s batting pillars, skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been out of form, posing a major challenge for the team. Adding to the woes are Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s struggles.

Gill has been inconsistent at the No 3 slot after moving down from the opener’s role. Despite good starts, the 25-year-old has frequently been dismissed in the slip cordon.

“For a No 3 batsman who has been around for so long, Shubman Gill has played a very, very ordinary shot, there are no mincing words here. And let’s be honest, the Indian batting, as a group, have not fired for some time now. With every passing innings, they are putting pressure on themselves,” former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik told Cricbuzz.

Kohli's happy hunting ground

Kohli’s return to his happy hunting ground in Melbourne, along with memories of his stunning knock against Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022, could help ease his struggles. Rohit’s role remains a significant question mark. He appears ill-suited for the middle order and should return to his opening position. Once set, Rohit can make batting look effortless.

KL Rahul, in contrast, has shown good form and has the ability to adapt in the middle order. His presence, along with Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round contribution, can lend stability to the batting line-up. Jadeja’s improved batting should also help him regain his bowling rhythm, particularly in Melbourne, where the extra bounce suits his style. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has not passed the fitness test, which means Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep should play the support role to Jasprit Bumrah to perfection.

Australia’s fragile batting and selection woes

Australia, despite being at home, face uncharacteristic challenges. Their batting has looked brittle, and early wickets have exposed a fragile middle order. Apart from Travis Head, none of the batters have shown consistency.

Teenage sensation Sam Konstas has been drafted in for the Melbourne Test, but facing world No 1 bowler Bumrah will be a Herculean challenge.

“I won’t watch too much [of him]. I have already seen him a lot. But I am excited to challenge myself and face him. Usually, our analysts do a little feedback on each bowler. I might read that, maybe,” Konstas told the ICC about preparing to face Bumrah.

Australia’s bowling attack has also been weakened, with veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the series. Scott Boland is expected to fill the void, as he did in Adelaide. However, he may not get the same assistance with the red ball, leaving skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc shouldering much of the burden.

The battle for supremacy

This Test will be a contest of skill and temperament. The team that lands the first blow is likely to gain the upper hand in what promises to be a gripping encounter.