CRICKET

Acing the Test

42ravindrajadejanew Spinning success: Ravindra Jadeja (wearing sunglasses) celebrates the dismissal of Australia’s Shaun Marsh with teammates during the final Test in Dharamsala | AFP

India focused inwards and each player chipped in to end a remarkable home season on an enviable high

At the end of a series, the two dressing rooms offer starkly different moods. In Dharamsala, after the match, the Indian players were out playing a game of foot-volleyball, using a row of plastic chairs as the net. There were jokes and laughter all around. Coach Anil Kumble and the support staff looked on indulgently. The formalities were over. They had posed for the team photograph and had taken selfies in the dressing room. A long and successful home season had come to an end.

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In the other dressing room, the Australians drank beer and thought hard. Captain Steve Smith had offered to join the Indians for a beer, but the hosts had turned him down. Like the beer, the relations were cold. On previous days, the players hadn’t even shared a smile or a greeting over breakfast at the hotel.

In the footage on bcci.tv, Smith had been heard taunting Ravindra Jadeja. “You don’t deserve to play anywhere but here, you are useless,” Smith had said. Jadeja replied with a series-deciding innings, and told Smith: “We will have dinner once you lose.”

Though Smith later apologised for letting his emotions get the better of him, Indian captain Virat Kohli was unforgiving. “I thought that was the case [being friends with the Aussies off field], but it has changed for sure,” he said.

The series, which India won 2-1, was a story of two young captains leading their sides through a bloody battle. One of them had the runs—499 in four matches—but not the trophy. The other scored 46 runs in three matches, but lifted the prize. The series gave Smith dark circles and a sense of disappointment. Kohli, with an injured shoulder, was subdued and tired, yet satisfied.

India’s number one ranking had been justified. At home this season, Kohli’s team humbled all visitors, winning 10 of 13 Tests, drawing two and losing one. With this victory, India has now won its last series against all nine Test-playing nations. “I can sit down and be proud of what the guys have been able to achieve,” said Kohli. “Different aspects have come up. There have been lower-order contributions, spinners have been outstanding throughout, the fast bowlers have been brilliant, and the batsmen have stepped up on many occasions. It’s not just one or two guys, everyone contributed throughout the season.”

When the series began, Australia had caught India off guard. On a rank turner in Pune, the visitors beat India by 333 runs. The hosts won the second Test in Bengaluru and third match in Ranchi ended in a draw. In the deciding match in Dharamsala, the Aussies stumbled in two crucial sessions, struggling against a spirited display of spin and pace. But, they put up a fight. “They believed they could win sessions and win situations, and that was the most challenging thing for us,” said Kohli. “Teams really lose their morale once they lose a Test match in India, but they kept bouncing back and they had the desire to compete throughout.”

After the series, Smith spoke about India’s ability to go for the kill. “They hold and hold and wait for a little opening,” he said. “And, once they get an opening, they go for the kill. I think that’s how they played this series.”

Smith had been the biggest thorn in India’s side. In 10 matches against India, he has scored seven centuries. However, his dominance was a lone effort. Other dangerous batsmen like David Warner failed to fire. India tackled the fiery pace of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and improved its efforts against the spin of Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon.

44cheteshwarpujara Three cheers: (From left) Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane played important roles in India’s win | AFP

The Indian team management’s motto was to “focus inwards”. Each team member concentrated on his specifics skills and role. “Nothing different from what we have done in the past,” said Kohli. “The focus was obviously on maintaining our skills and the momentum we gained throughout the season, and executing that.”

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He gave the example of Ajinkya Rahane. In Bengaluru, ahead of the second Test, both Kumble and Kohli were asked about Rahane’s place in the team. The duo, however, backed him without hesitation. Rahane built a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara in the Bengaluru Test and captained the side to the series victory in the final Test. This, despite being told only on the morning of the match that he would lead the team. “He has really taken the responsibility well and I was really, really happy to see him doing that,” said Kohli.

For opener K.L. Rahul, who scored six half centuries, this was a coming-of-age series. After a torrid session in the final Test, Rahul said: “As an opening batsman, my responsibility is to spend as much time in the middle as I can, and try to get big scores in the first innings so that we don’t have to bat in the second innings.”

Said Kohli of the top order: “Obviously, Pujara has been very impressive in this series. But [Murali] Vijay has been a consistent opener for a while. KL is probably not in focus too much, but for an opener to be that consistent is tremendous. You’ll certainly remember him for a long time in the years to come. I think this is where he will make a start as an internationally recognised opener, probably one of India’s best.”

One of the major reasons India was in the driver’s seat was its all-rounders—Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha—especially with the team management opting for five bowlers.

In the final Test, Jadeja rescued India from a tight spot with a solid 63. This was the second time he had thwarted Australia with the bat. He had earlier scored a crucial half century in the Ranchi Test. This, coupled with his lethal bowling, made Jadeja a genuine Test all-rounder. “I feel good that I am doing well in Test matches,” said Jadeja. “There is a self satisfaction that now I am suitable for both formats and I can back myself as a longer-version player.”

His bowling has evolved, too. Apart from his tight line, he has added a few variations, with huge success. “My shoulder is on auto-mode and everything is happening automatically,” he said.

From being the third spinner in the team a few years ago to being an equal of Ashwin now, his turnaround has been remarkable. In the 13 matches India has played in the 2016-17 home season, Jadeja has scored 556 runs, with a batting average of 42.76, and has taken 71 wickets. He has been the most successful bowler against Australia (25 wickets), ahead of Ashwin (21) and Umesh Yadav (17).

Saha, meanwhile, has finally stepped out of the shadows of his predecessor, M.S. Dhoni. He has grown in confidence, and was part of two crucial partnerships—with Pujara in Ranchi and with Jadeja in Dharamsala.

Ashwin, always a fierce competitor, picked up 82 wickets in 13 matches this season. It had been a long season, and by the time Australia arrived, his shoulder was hurting and he was carrying a few niggles.

45stevensmith Change of fortune: Steven Smith signals for a review during the Dharamsala Test | PTI

The one who stole limelight in the last Test, however, was debutant Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. India’s gamble to go with five bowlers also played its part. The 22-year-old from Kanpur picked up four wickets for 68 in the first innings. The final call to include him, said Kohli, was taken by Rahane. “Kuldeep was the X factor,” said Kohli. “They hadn’t played him, they hadn’t seen much of him and he turned out to be the difference [maker]. Going from 130 for 1 to 300 all out in the same day can really demoralise the opposition. It was a great call on Ajinkya and Anil bhai’s part.”

While all visiting teams, including Australia, focused on how to play Ashwin and Jadeja, the medium pacers made them take notice. Sure, Dharamsala’s wicket favoured the quicks, but even on slower surfaces, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar fulfilled their roles. “We have worked hard on the fitness levels of the guys over the past two years and it’s showing,” said Kohli. “When teams prepare only for your spinners and your fast bowlers come in and bowl those kind of spells, it can really shake the opposition and that’s exactly what these guys did.” Yadav and Kumar bowled fiery spells peppered with bouncers—a rare sight at home. Yadav, with 17 wickets in the series, was the standout performer.

With one of the finest Test series in recent memory wrapped up, the players go home exhausted, ready to rest their weary bodies. But, there is not much time to savour the success. The Indian Premier League is round the corner. But, will the sound and glitter of the IPL dull the memory of this series? Unlikely.

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