Lets Learn from First Test India vs Australia
Before the start of the test, pundits were talking of how India will dominate the series and Australia would have a difficult time. Well, the first test once again showed how wrong the pundits and experts can get it right. Are there some lessons from this?
- There is no substitute for Preparation: One has to admire the preparation the Australia made for the match in all departments of game. Evident in the first hour of match when they batted to the bowling changes made.
- At times, one gets trapped in the trap we have set for others: We prepared rank turners with the objective of dominating the Australia. What happened was that they outwitted us – both innings put together, we lost abt 15 wickets to spin and scored just abt 200 runs. In life be sure of what one walks into.
- Australia is not Bangladesh or England: The strategy needs to be changed depending on opposition and the context. Did we see change from what we saw against England or Bangladesh – in today’s becoming predictable is recipe for disaster.
- It’s not just the stars who hurt all the time; it can also be unknown players: O’Keef is an example. Starc in batting is another. You cannot write off so called David’s (as in David vs Goliath story) ….they can surprise you.
- We now know why VVS Laxman is special and Rahul Dravid is the wall : Look back, in 2001 hopeless situation, Laxman and Dravid scripted history in Kolkata. Someone had to do it in second innings – it is the tough situations which creates champions or conversely, champions are champions because they excel in tough situations.
Hope there is stuff here that is useful to us. Also hope Indian team does introspection and comes back in 2nd test!