Shikhar Dhawan Should've Been Forced to Bat Earlier at Gabba, Says Anil Kumble

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed uneven practice pitches at Gabba for Shikar Dhawan's injury. While India lost the second Test to Australia by four wickets, former captain Anil Kumble feels Dhawan's batting could have saved the match, had the team management forced him to pad up. (India Fume After Injuries)

Dhawan was injured during a nets session ahead of fourth day's play. Dhoni said it created 'unrest' in the team - partly blaming it for the batting implosion that followed in India's second innings. Kumble though took a contrary stand and said Dhawan may have been scared to bat after his recent failures. "It probably was a reflection of Dhawan's state of mind. He would have been aware that his place in the XI was in question after three failures and one more poor score would have done him in," wrote Kumble in his column for a national daily. "This is where the team management should have stepped in and made the decision to send him in after the first one or two wickets." ('Dhawan's Injury Caused Unrest in Dressing Room')

India had posted 408 after batting first on a quick surface at the Gabba. The good-work was lost when the team collapsed from 71/1 to 143/7 in the second innings. Although Dhawan did come to bat eventually - scoring a strokeful 81, it was a bit too late for a rescue. "The situation, where the Indians were effectively around 0/1 when the fourth day's play began, was crying to be seized but Dhawan let the opportunity go by choosing to stay back in the dressing room," wrote Kumble who himself had played with a broken jaw in the 2002 Antigua Test, claiming the prized wicket of Brian Lara. (Dhawan Scores Gutsy 81)

Another former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar had pinned the blame on Kohli - who scored just 1 in the second innings after replacing Dhawan at the top. Gavaskar had told NDTV that the Delhi dasher should have been prepared to bat, especially after his twin hundreds in the previous Test at the Adelaide Oval. Gavaskar had also said India should not make excuses, brushing aside Dhoni's suggestions that Kohli did not get enough time to prepare before he was asked to go out and bat. ('Kohli Should Have Been Prepared to Bat')

Australia however came out on top of the Brisbane battle and now have a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. The next Test starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26. (India Won't be Whitewashed: Gavaskar)