5 things India must do to make a comeback in the series

#5 Mop up the tail

Mitchell Starc hit some lofty blows with the bat in the first innings

In the final session of the first day’s play at the MCA stadium, the Indian bowlers were on the rampage. From a decent looking score 152/4 at tea, the Australians were reduced to 205/9. Just when it seemed that the Indian innings wasn’t too far away, the hosts ran into a gritty Mitchell Starc and his boundary-wielding willow.

In the next 12 overs, he smashed the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground and ensured that the visitors finished the day unbeaten at 255/9.

While there is no doubt that Starc’s boundary-studded innings propelled the Aussies to an eventual score of 260, what is really worrying is the fact that the Indian bowlers couldn’t get Josh Hazlewood(Australia’s number 11) out even after bowling 31 deliveries at him. An almost similar story panned out in the second innings as Starc sparkled with another cameo.

The last three Australian batsmen kept the Indian attack, consisting of the two top-ranked bowlers in test cricket, at bay for a little more than 12 overs. Though it is true that the Australians bat deep, the Indian bowlers will have to be equal to the task to prevent matches slipping away from their grasp.