India has the firepower to win in Sydney- Do they have the will?

Jan 02, 2025: 

India’s win in the 1st Test match against Australia at Perth is now a distant dream. One that came as a wonderful blessing especially after the 3-0 drubbing that India got losing to New Zealand at home.

Australia have their head in front with a 2-1 lead in the series, however, to claim the Trophy they need to either draw or win the next match in Sydney. The task for them is challenging as India have the firepower to beat them. The difference between the 2 sides has been the maturity in the way Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have batted. Two truly good Test batters, who have struggled to stay at the crease, but have done so patiently and have finally ground the Indian bowlers to dust. 

The Indian batsmen in the last Test match in Melbourne in the 2nd innings needed the same determination and focus to draw the match. Unfortunately most of them fell prey to playing indiscreet shots, ones that they have been praised for in the past. Patience and understanding the situation was what they needed and they fell short in both respects.

Test cricket has many elements to it that makes it interesting and demanding. The change in the conditions that one faces over the 5 days and adhering and adapting to the situation of each day, session and hour is the challenge every side faces in a Test match encounter. Australia, even after getting 474 runs in the 1st innings in Melbourne, with a lead of 105 runs looked a side in trouble when they were 91 for 6 in the 2nd innings. It was their tail end batters who got them through that difficult period with their captain taking the lead. Each one of the last few Australian batters stood at the crease realizing how important it was to accumulate each run and utilize each ball to get their team to safety. 

The impact that the Indian cricket side psychologically has over Australia, especially, while chasing in the 2nd innings due to the past history compelled them to bat on the last day as well. This showed how the Australian side perceived the Indian batting line-up, one that could on a given day, chase the impossible. Those extra precious minutes at one stage looked to haunt them when India was cruising to what looked like a draw. However, the Australians stuck to their task and emerged positively and forcefully against the Indians once they got a break through. Their bowlers put in every bit of effort that they could muster and were finally rewarded handsomely with a win.

The Indian team needs to understand that a win in the next Test match in Sydney will draw the series and the Border- Gavaskar trophy would still be theirs. A hope to qualify for the Test Championship final will also still be very much in the air. Most importantly they will be coming back with their reputation intact.

When any team is on a losing path, the pen and paper pushers and gossip columnists come forth with a vengeance. India’s 2 senior and legendry batters ,in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ,have unfortunately not performed to their capabilities and are now naturally in the line for criticism. One knows that the 2 are capable of breaking their shackles anytime and one feels that Sydney could be quite likely the venue for them to do so. Class as they say is permanent and it is just that one bit of luck and blessing that could get them back on track. India’s lackluster performance as a batting unit can be attributed to Sharma’s and Kohli’s lack of form. Runs from their blade could be just the tonic required for the Indian team to once again rise from their slumber.

Australia do not look a far better side than India, however, they have scratched and inched themselves to a position of win through hardcore determination. The core of such an act is entirely due to the never-say-die attitude of their captain, Pat Cummins. He is a fire ball cricketer who seems to be at the opponents at all times and one whom the Indian captain Rohit Sharma should emulate to uplift his players.

The Indian side is a very good unit. They have everything in their artillery to foster wins consistently. They are blessed with world class batters and a bowler in Jasprit Bumrah who is dreaded by one and all. The dressing room chatters and gossips have always been there, this unfortunately, gets highlighted when a team is not performing up to its potential. 

Every team and cricketer knows that all this goes into oblivion once one performs well. The Indian side is like a wounded tiger dangerous and ready to strike. They have just one target and that is to win and retain their respect, not only for themselves but also for their millions of supporters around the world.

The Indian side have the firepower, the Sydney Test match will determine whether they have the will and the heart of steel to win by doing so.

(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)