Image source– BCCI
India’s overwhelming victory over Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth demonstrates a significant shift in the cricketing landscape.
The once-dominant Australians are no longer unbeatable on their home turf, as evidenced by India’s triumph in the last two series down under.
This change is particularly gratifying for fans of cricket from the 90s and late 2000s, who were used to witnessing the humiliation of every visiting team, including India, at the hands of the Australians during their tours.
The question is what makes this Indian team so remarkable that they have been defeating Australia so decisively during their recent tours there.
Let’s examine Team India’s evolution from being dominant at home to becoming a team capable of defeating anyone on foreign soil.
Aggressive approach towards the game
The Indian team has shed its timid image and is now prepared to challenge any tough opponent both on and off the field.
They have adopted an aggressive style of play, even in Test cricket, thanks to a lineup filled with stroke makers such as the young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal, veteran Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul.
In the event of early setbacks, they can rely on King Kohli to revive the innings with a blend of caution and aggression.
Rishabh Pant, the X-Factor Of India
During the last series in Australia in the 2020-21 season, when Team India was without Kohli for the last three test matches and collapsed for just 36 runs in the first Test at Adelaide during a day-night Test match, many believed that India would not be able to recover in the series.
However, the final test match of the series at Gabba became a decisive game, with both teams having won one test match each.
India was pursuing an improbable target of 329 runs in the fourth innings when a young player named Rishabh Pant stepped onto the field.
He delivered an aggressive performance, scoring 89 runs off just 138 balls and remained unbeaten as he led his team to victory.
Evolution of Fast Bowling Attack
In the past, the Indian cricket team was recognized for its strong spin bowlers, well-suited to slow and spin-friendly pitches. However, when they toured overseas on fast and bouncy surfaces, their spinners often struggled.
This led to the emergence of fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, who recently dominated the Australians in the Perth Test and Young Mohammad Siraj, with his vibrant enthusiasm for supporting the main bowler at the other end, played a crucial role in helping India sustain pressure from both ends.
This relentless pressure has prevented the opposing team’s batsmen from gaining any freedom, which is one of the primary reasons for India’s success overseas.
Utility cricketers Like Washington Sundar also helping the winning cause
The days are gone when India’s batting line-up featured long tail-enders who would easily give up, leaving no hope if the main batters failed.
Nowadays, players like Washington Sundar, who can competently bat and bowl, have certainly strengthened the Indian batting line-up. This allows them to include an additional bowler necessary to take twenty wickets and secure a victory in a Test match and it’s not just about Sundar; India also witnessed young talent Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made significant contributions with the bat in both innings of the Perth Test and took a crucial wicket of the formidable Mitchell Marsh.
India’s performance at the start of the BGT series, following their setback at home against New Zealand, alongside Australia’s struggles on their own turf, suggests that Team India is back and eager to secure their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia. However, the Australians are renowned for their comebacks, and cricket is a sport filled with surprises. Thus, it’s difficult to predict that India will easily defeat the Aussies. Based on how they played in Perth, it appears that Australia will need to perform something miraculous to shift momentum in their favour during the second Test match in Adelaide starting December 6.
