NEW DELHI: Former Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar shared how Team India should approach the crucial third day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar outlined the challenges and opportunities ahead for India as they strive to avoid a daunting follow-on and inch closer to Australia’s formidable first-innings total of 474.
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“Jadeja batted really well at Gabba, so he needs to bring in the same application here as well,” Gavaskar remarked. “Pant is the kind of player who we know can take the game apart. So we need another—India need another 100-plus partnership. It’s not just about saving the follow-on. India need to spend a little more time at the crease tomorrow. Even if they can take it till post-lunch, they give themselves a very good chance.”
On the challenges posed by Nathan Lyon, Gavaskar said: “Nathan Lyon will come into play tomorrow. He hasn’t had much of a role to play in the entire series, but now, with what we saw from Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja bowling, they were getting the ball to grip, turn, and maybe get a little more bounce as well. So Nathan Lyon will certainly enjoy bowling to the left-handers.”
Reflecting on Australia’s potential strategy, Gavaskar noted, “India need to put their heads down. Like I said, they have to try and take their first innings past lunch, maybe as close to tea as possible, and therefore get as close as possible to the Australian total. Australia will not give you the follow-on, make no mistake. Even if India fall short of 274, Australia will not give you the follow-on. They’ll want to bat you out of the game.”
At the close of play on Day Two, India were precariously placed at 164/5, trailing by 310 runs.
A dramatic late collapse, triggered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unfortunate run-out for 82 and the dismissals of Virat Kohli and nightwatchman Akash Deep, undermined an otherwise steady partnership.
With Pant and Jadeja unbeaten overnight, India must muster resilience and discipline to mount a recovery.