NEW DELHI: India suffered an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat in just over two days in the day-night Test in Adelaide as Australia levelled the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-1.
After the highs of Perth, where they won by 295 runs, India nosedived in the Pink-ball game, succumbing to their quickest defeat against Australia.
While the batters flopped in both the innings, India bowlers also disappointed as Australia raked in 337 in their first innings and took a decisive 157-run lead. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah did manage early breakthroughs but lacked support from others as Travis Head ton put Australia on top.
After India’s overall poor outing in the second Test, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has said that India needs speedster Mohammed Shami for the third Test to give a boost to the bowling attack.
Shami, who has been playing domestic cricket after an year-long injury lay-off, is expected to be flown Down Under soon but the team management is not hurrying over his international return.
“We are getting news that Shami will be going but might play from the fourth Test. There won’t be any benefit if India plays Shami from the fourth Test. Send him now and play him the Brisbane Test. If you are calling him for Melbourne, then don’t call him at all. India need Shami now! Your pace attack needs Shami,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
After the defeat in the second game, captain Rohit Sharma said that Shami had once again developed ‘some swelling’ in his knees after playing seven Mushtaq Ali Trophy games.
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On being asked if there is a chance for Shami’s comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit looked cautious with his answer.
“No, no, definitely. That door is very much open. But we are just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, he again got some swelling in his knee, which obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful,” the India skipper said after the second Test.
Shami had bowled 42 overs in a Ranji Trophy game apart from playing seven SMAT T20 games in 13 days.
