SYDNEY: Former Australia cricketer Brad Hodge called Jasprit Bumrah "a nightmare to face" in a huge praise however picked Cheteshwar Pujara's runs at number three as the important difference between the 2 sides.
The ultimate Test starts here on January three, with India leading the four-match sequence 2-1.
"Pujara has been the difference between the two sides. Both bowling units have looked strong. Barring the first session in Perth (where Australia scored 112-0), and Mayank Agarwal in Melbourne, all four openers have struggled," Hodge stated.
"So, the number three position where Pujara has dominated, has been of importance. Not only has he not lost his wicket cheaply, but he has also taken time out of the game."
India regained the lead with a 137-run win in the 3rd Test Melbourne, with Pujara scoring a hundred in the first innings.
"He additionally negated Nathan Lyon who bowled extremely well in Adelaide and Perth. So Pujara's importance can't be disregarded. He was once neglected of the primary Test in England, and got here back into competition.
"He has now not been enjoying T20 cricket, and as a substitute went to play for Yorkshire. He does the onerous work and is getting rewards."
The former Kings XI Punjab coach was once full of praise for the Indian pace-attack, in particular Bumrah.
"Bumrah is a nightmare to face. If you ask any batsman, he is one of the most deadly bowlers to face. He is fast, very correct and strikes the ball each techniques, which is what you wish to have from a Test event bowler.
"His economic system and strike-rates in Test cricket are already evaluating to those for Kapil Dev, who is known in Indian cricket. So to be in that class within 12 months is fantastic.
"The Indian attack has seemed robust ever since they've arrived here. They have performed and backed up their captain well. Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, in particular, have seemed in shape."
Hodge stated that the Australian batsmen have let themselves down with a loss of Test cricket temperament and alertness. Even so, he added that the selectors have no option however to stay with the same combination.
"From a batting point of view, this has been a disappointing sequence. The averages are well down. They merely have not been just right enough. The method, temperament and flair to play Test cricket has been missing.
"The downside is they received a Test ten days ago (in Perth). So you expect so much from this batting line-up, but if they can not score 200 runs (in the first innings), then that is a major issue.
"We have top expectations, a rich historical past, and we had some severe gamers previously (David Warner and Steve Smith). But we also are up in opposition to an excellent staff."
Talking about doable adjustments for the Sydney Test, Hodge stated Finch has to continue to open.
"The selectors made errors with Finch opening. I'm robust in my belief that he should have batted at number Four-5 - where he has batted for Surrey, Victoria. He hasn't accomplished well at the most sensible, and it has uncovered the center order.
"But he has to (open in Sydney once more). You have to give faith to this workforce. You have picked this workforce to try and win the sequence in opposition to India and you've got to back them. Make a judgment name after the sequence.
"It will be difficult on this workforce if you make adjustments now. Give them a minimum of till those four Tests and then you can ask questions afterward after the sequence. You can not make adjustments now," he added.
India are now on the cusp of historical past, with a win at the SCG assuring them of a first-ever Test sequence triumph on Australian soil. Hodge believes India can do it.
"Australia only received every week ago (in Perth) and now appear in trouble. They look a defeated unit. We just have to see better results from them.
"We have not had a century from an Australian batsman in three Tests, which is unheard of in a home series. The wickets are good, and there is no reason why we shouldn't see that."
"Tim Paine is leading well and doing his job, but the Australian batting unit isn't doing theirs," Hodge signed off.
The ultimate Test starts here on January three, with India leading the four-match sequence 2-1.
"Pujara has been the difference between the two sides. Both bowling units have looked strong. Barring the first session in Perth (where Australia scored 112-0), and Mayank Agarwal in Melbourne, all four openers have struggled," Hodge stated.
"So, the number three position where Pujara has dominated, has been of importance. Not only has he not lost his wicket cheaply, but he has also taken time out of the game."
India regained the lead with a 137-run win in the 3rd Test Melbourne, with Pujara scoring a hundred in the first innings.
"He additionally negated Nathan Lyon who bowled extremely well in Adelaide and Perth. So Pujara's importance can't be disregarded. He was once neglected of the primary Test in England, and got here back into competition.
"He has now not been enjoying T20 cricket, and as a substitute went to play for Yorkshire. He does the onerous work and is getting rewards."
The former Kings XI Punjab coach was once full of praise for the Indian pace-attack, in particular Bumrah.
"Bumrah is a nightmare to face. If you ask any batsman, he is one of the most deadly bowlers to face. He is fast, very correct and strikes the ball each techniques, which is what you wish to have from a Test event bowler.
"His economic system and strike-rates in Test cricket are already evaluating to those for Kapil Dev, who is known in Indian cricket. So to be in that class within 12 months is fantastic.
"The Indian attack has seemed robust ever since they've arrived here. They have performed and backed up their captain well. Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, in particular, have seemed in shape."
Hodge stated that the Australian batsmen have let themselves down with a loss of Test cricket temperament and alertness. Even so, he added that the selectors have no option however to stay with the same combination.
"From a batting point of view, this has been a disappointing sequence. The averages are well down. They merely have not been just right enough. The method, temperament and flair to play Test cricket has been missing.
"The downside is they received a Test ten days ago (in Perth). So you expect so much from this batting line-up, but if they can not score 200 runs (in the first innings), then that is a major issue.
"We have top expectations, a rich historical past, and we had some severe gamers previously (David Warner and Steve Smith). But we also are up in opposition to an excellent staff."
Talking about doable adjustments for the Sydney Test, Hodge stated Finch has to continue to open.
"The selectors made errors with Finch opening. I'm robust in my belief that he should have batted at number Four-5 - where he has batted for Surrey, Victoria. He hasn't accomplished well at the most sensible, and it has uncovered the center order.
"But he has to (open in Sydney once more). You have to give faith to this workforce. You have picked this workforce to try and win the sequence in opposition to India and you've got to back them. Make a judgment name after the sequence.
"It will be difficult on this workforce if you make adjustments now. Give them a minimum of till those four Tests and then you can ask questions afterward after the sequence. You can not make adjustments now," he added.
India are now on the cusp of historical past, with a win at the SCG assuring them of a first-ever Test sequence triumph on Australian soil. Hodge believes India can do it.
"Australia only received every week ago (in Perth) and now appear in trouble. They look a defeated unit. We just have to see better results from them.
"We have not had a century from an Australian batsman in three Tests, which is unheard of in a home series. The wickets are good, and there is no reason why we shouldn't see that."
"Tim Paine is leading well and doing his job, but the Australian batting unit isn't doing theirs," Hodge signed off.
Bumrah is nightmare to face but Pujara's runs made vital difference: Hodge
![Bumrah is nightmare to face but Pujara's runs made vital difference: Hodge]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 01, 2019
Rating:
