Haren
IND vs AUS: Former Australian Batsman Matthew Hayden on Wednesday shed light on how India could claw back the advantage in the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, scheduled to start on December 14.
“India must bat better, they must bat for time. They must bat a day of Test match cricket. Under a day, unacceptable. Has to be in that 350 zone. India should bat first even if there are challenging conditions,” Hayden said to Star Sports.
While it is India’s batsmen that need to stay out in the middle for longer, India will be looking at their pace bowling attack once again at the Gabba, with the pitch expected to favour bounce.
“India, when they do get a chance to bowl, they need to rely on hovering in that fourth, fifth stump line a bit more. And most importantly, they need to use their bounce,” Hayden said.
Gabba has been known to be notorious with the bounce, aiding the fast bowlers on the track. Hayden also believes that the red ball would be familiar with the pitch in terms of Test cricket, so holding the line and length is extremely important for the bowlers.
With Australia leveling the series 1-1 in Adelaide after their assertive victory in the pink ball Test, India will be looking to repeat their heroics from their last outing in Gabba, back in 2021, when Rishabh Pant took India over the line to win the match and the series.
“Brisbane, different ball game! It’s a home game, but it’s actually a very good game for India as well because they’ve got memories of the last time they encountered Australia in the BGT,” Hayden said.
With that famous win still fresh in the minds of the team, India will look to inch one step closer to securing their spot in the World Test Championship Finals.
