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Dasgupta: Green top for 2nd Test could backfire for Australia against India

With the new Optus Stadium track resembling the old WACA track, Deep Dasgupta discuss whether India should go with four pacers and reckons that the green top could backfire for Australia.

With the new Optus Stadium track resembling the old WACA track, Deep Dasgupta discuss whether India should go with four pacers and reckons that the green top could backfire for Australia.

Buoyed by a historic opening Test victory at Adelaide, a confident Indian side will look to extent their lead in the four-match series when the second Test against an under-pressure Australia gets underway at the new Optus Stadium in Perth – hosting its first Test ever – on Friday. Both teams will have to make a quick turnaround for the Perth encounter coming three days after the Adelaide contest.

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India will want to fix their first-innings issues after being bowled out for 250 against a seaming ball which will also be the case in Perth, with a green top on offer and pace and bounce aplenty.

Australia, who showed great resolve to stage a fightback in the second dig falling short by 31 runs, were helped purely by the tail in the second essay – with Nathan Lyon, who picked up six wickets in the second innings – left unbeaten on 38.

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India, the No. 1 ranked side in the world, will not be happy that they let the Australians get as close as they did, but will look for a comprehensive performance. The visitors know for certain that Tim Paine and Co. will come hard at them with Lyon licking his lips to exploit the bounce on offer at Perth. A cracking contest awaits!

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