The significance of Bangalore Test win for India

India has won Bangalore test by 75 run against Australia. Another home test and another usual home win. But this victory is much more than a normal victory. I have seen many great Indian victories on home soil against Australia like epic Kolkata test 2001, Chennai tests (1998, 2001 and 2013), Mumbai test (2004), and Mohali test (2010). But this victory is little sweeter.

India was hot favorites to win the test series against Australia by 4-0. Australia has lost 3-0 in Sri Lanka against a weak Lankan team last year. World no.1 Indian team had not lost in last 19 test matches and had white washed England & New Zeeland last year on home soil. Kholi & Ashwin were unstoppable. But there were some signs of cracks. Bangladesh batted for more than 100 overs in 4^th inning. In this series, Australian spin pair of Nathan Lyon & Steve O'Keefe turned the table on Indians in Pune and Bangalore like Monty Panesar & Graeme Swann din in 2010. O'Keefe 12 for 70 in Pune was the best perforce by an overseas spinner in a test in India and Lyon 8 for in Bangalore test 1^st inning was the best bowing by a spinner in India. Even Aussie quickies Michel Starck & Hazlewood were superb in both the test matches.  India was bowled out for 105 & 107 in Pune and then again they made just 189 in 1^st inning in Bangalore. Indian bowlers were not as bad as their batting counterparts but they were outshined by Australian batsmen. Smith played an unbelievable inning in Pune when Indian were bowling very well. Sanjay Manraker said that this was the best inning played by a visiting captain in India.

Kholi & Ashwin has been the main architect of Indian victories last year along with Jadeja, Pujara, Vijay & Rahane. Kholi had a horrible Pune test and even though Ashwin took 7 wickets in Pune, he was not impactful. When world no 2 batsmen & world no 1 bowler misfires, the team know that they are in trouble. But this is the new generation Indian team. They don’t accept the defeat gracefully and play with vengeance. Unfortunately our captain & other players are also involved in sledging. Our fast bowlers also played their part in all the 4 innings and they bowled brilliantly. Ravindra Jadeja took 6 wickets in 1^st inning in Bangalore and restricted Australia to take a huge lead. India again collapsed early in 2^nd innings after K L Rahul’s 2^nd 50 of the match but Pujara & Rahane played a brilliant innings. This reminded me the vrief cameo played by Sachin & Laxman in Mumbai test of 2004 when Australia failed to chase a modest target of 107. India again collapsed on 4^th day morning against 2^nd new ball. Now bowlers took the charge and Ashwin grabbed 6 wickets and with help from seamers, India won the match. Also we need a debate on DRS again. It decides the fate of the match.

I think India’s test team should not rely on Kholi & Ashwin every time. Pujara & Rahane are very good test players but they should give consistence performance. We still don’t have a Wall like confidence in Pujara and Rahane is still not Mr. dependable at 5. Both along with Vijay have played enough matches now & they should learn from their captain how to take the batting at different level. Indian bowling looks more lethal than it looked during England. Fast bowlers & Spinners are looking in rhythm and all four are contributing. This has been a fascinating series. Rarely we see such kind of resistance by a visiting team in India. Hopefully we will see a good cricket in next 2 matches & Kholi will lift Boarder-Gavaskar trophy.