India in Australia: Start Well to Save Test is Sunil Gavaskar's Mantra for 1st Match
Australia are expected to set a challenging total for India on the final day of the 1st Test. Sunil Gavaskar tells NDTV that much would depend on the start that India get through Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan.
Australia built a lead of 363 runs on Day 4 of the Adelaide Test against India. With five wickets still left after Friday's play, the hosts would look to set a challenging total and force a result. The onus then would be on Indian batsmen and former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels the start to the chase would hold the key. (Day 4 report | Scorecard)
On a track which is known to be the most conducive for batting amongst all pitches Down Under, India's opening pair made a good start in the first innings but failed to build on it. While David Warner (145 and 102) and Virat Kohli (115) showed batting long is possible, Shikhar Dhawan scored 25 in his first chance here. Gavaskar says India to stay positive. "I'll say India can still win this match. If our openers in Vijay and Dhawan get off to a good start and not think too far ahead, we may be able to save this Test," he told NDTV. "The Indian team needs the top-order to fire till about the lunch session and take it forward from there." (Patience will be key on final day, says Rahane)
The opening pair's failure in the first innings - India lost Dhawan with the team score on 30 - is not the only concern for Gavaskar. Come Saturday, he would also keep his eye on Rohit Sharma who fell seven short of a fifty in the first innings. If India are to save the match, the Mumbai batsman would have to convert his starts better. "He is an excellent player who has a lot of shots in his armour The problem though is in his shot selection," observed Gavaskar.
While an overnight declaration from the Australians appears likely, Gavaskar feels Indian lower-order batsmen too should be prepared to hang in if they are needed to. "Had the tail stuck around in the first innings, India could have been in a safe position. (But) It is too much to expect from them," he said.
India lost final five wickets for 77 in the first innings. With a daunting target expected from the Aussies in the second innings, the team's famed batting lineup would have to pool in all its talent to stage a win or even a draw.