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India vs Australia 2nd Test at Brisbane: Steven Smith holds key for Australia

Australia scored 221 for 4 at the end of Day Two of the second Test.

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Steven Smith was unbeaten on a score of 65 at the end of the second day of the second Test © Getty Images
Steven Smith was unbeaten on a score of 65 at the end of the second day of the second Test © Getty Images

India produced a satisfactory performance with the ball to challenge Australia’s authority in the ongoing second Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. With not much batting left in their ranks in the first essay, Australia’s hope will be pinned on captain Steven Smith to hold the fort for them and thwart India’s challenge, says Devarchit Varma.

India are not expected to be all over their opponents while playing overseas. They go through tough phases, but also have passages where they dictate terms and control the game. Many a times, India will let go of the opportunities through ordinary cricket. India can be competitive overseas, but certainly not the side that will scare the opposition. At Brisbane they have dominated sessions and in patches; they have so far looked good; why, they even look likely to pull off a favourable result! But that will take a lot of hard work and the play on Day Three would actually influence the result of the Test.

India are ahead of 187 runs in the first innings. Australia do not have much of batting left in their ranks. Steven Smith, their new captain is oozing with confidence which is evident with his on-field performance — throwing himself to snaffle tough chances and bat like a dream. He took a sharp catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma early on Day Two. When his turn came to bat, Smith scored 65 not out, a fluent knock in all terms, studded with eight boundaries and two hits over the ropes. Smith may be looking invincible in the ongoing series (he has not been dismissed so far) but talking about the others, there is not much of surety.

Michael Clarke’s absence from the series has not only left Australia poorer of an apt leader, but the stability that he provides at No. 4 was something not everyone can do. Smith is at the peak of the form, but Australia a have couple of struggling players in their ranks whose ordinary form may hurt them in the longer run.

Shane Watson, for example, has had scores of 14, 33 and 25 at No. 3. Brad Haddin too is going through a lean patch, as his last significantcontribution coming in January 2014 in the last Test of the Ashes 2013-14. Since then, he has not crossed 28, and his poor run will definitely worry Australia as they would look to lessen India’s lead, which stands at 187 runs at the moment. The only bright aspect about Haddin is the fact that he has been successful with the bat at The Gabba.

Mitchell Marsh may be fit but Australia will need him to hang around for a session or two with the skipper. He is playing only his fourth Test, and the lack of experience and a determined Indian side may prove to be too much for the youngster to handle. Australia would expect Marsh not only to play aggressively and try and get some quick runs, but also to hang around in the middle with Smith and keep the Indians at bay. An early wicket on the third morning will open the gates for India as a struggling Haddin will join Smith in the middle, followed by the tail.

But if Smith falls early, Australia will definitely be in trouble and would find themselves hoping for another lower-order fightback — something that Haddin famously scripted on a couple of occasions in the Ashes 2013-14. He definitely remains Australia’s best bet as any strong lead  will give India the chance to pounce on.

(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)

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