The first Test may already be over, says former Australian quick Chadd Sayers, after India’s dominance with the bat late on Day 2.
At times on Friday, Pat Cummins and his bowling attack looked a genuine chance to bring the Aussies back into the game and ensure the tourists wouldn’t be far behind after the first innings, as epitomised by Todd Murphy’s five-wicket haul.
But it wasn’t to be as all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel saw through to stumps with India 7-321, currently leading by 144 runs.
It’s a performance far improved on what the Australians could produce. While four Aussies in Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey got starts, none could go on with it while three Indians have passed 50, including Rohit Sharma’s knock of 120.
It leaves Sayers believing the Test could be over as early as Saturday.
“I think the game is over after our first innings (performance),” he told SEN SA’s Saturdays in South Australia.
“I thought we actually bowled pretty well yesterday, Pat Cummins bounced back after his first spell on Day 1 was pretty poor, Scotty Boland bowled well without being too threatening and Todd Murphy was outstanding.
“They got themselves back in the game a little bit but Jadeja and Patel put the nail in the coffin I think, their partnership is now 79.”
India has lined up with five genuine bowlers in Nagpur, including Jadeja who boasts a batting average of 36.56.
Of the others, both Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel average over 20 with the willow.
In contrast, Pat Cummins’ average of 16.37 with bat in hand is the best of the tourists’ bowling brigade and he hasn't scored over 34 since 2018.
“Their batting talent is just immense, they bat so deep,” Sayers, who toured with the national side on many occasions but play just one Test, said of the Indian side.
“If they lead by anything well over 150, I think the game might be over today on Day 3.”
Cummins and co will look for early wickets on Saturday before batting for plenty of time. The Nagpur pitch is yet to deteriorate as many expected, but will become harder to bat on the longer the Test match continues.
With India to bat last, it remains the Australian’s best chance of staving off an early defeat in the four-Test series.
Marnus Labuschagne sounded very keen on snaring a five-wicket haul today after his chat with us on @SEN_Cricket last evening. Could this be the day? Join @collinsadam, @RaviShastriOfc, @kaspa369, @plalor, @NikeshRughani & me throughout the day to hear it all #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/OO6jGKz1Qj
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 10, 2023