Former Australia coach Darren Lehman believes that despite a crushing defeat in the first Test in Adelaide, India have players who can turn the dice in the current four-match Test series against Australia. The Indian team was reduced to just 36 in the second innings at Adelaide Oval, their lowest score in the history of Test cricket. Australia won the day-night test by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Lehman told ‘SA Sportsday’, “Things will be difficult for him now but he has some level players who can turn the dice if they get into rhythm.” Former 50-year-old Australian batsman Lehman believes that India have an effective bowling attack and if their batsman can cope with the bouncing balls, the visiting team can return to the series.
He said, “Certainly they can bother with the ball, it will depend on whether the batsmen can cope with the bounce or not. MCG’s pitch will be more favorable to them as it is a bit flat. Lehman said, “So we have to see if their batsmen can come back and score some runs, especially in the first innings.” This will be important for them.
The Boxing Day Test between the two teams will be played in Melbourne from 26 December. The Indian team will go into this match without regular captain Virat Kohli and fast bowler Mohammad Shami. Kohli has returned home for the birth of his first child while Shami suffered a fracture in the arm during the first day-night test.
Indian team succumbed to embarrassing defeat in the Adelaide Test on the third day … Report from Australia
