Indian batting was completely dismantled on the third day of the first Test match against Australia where they lost their 9 wickets at 36 runs which is their lowest total scored in Test cricket till date barring Mohammad Shami who got retired hurt. It was simply a horrible performance from visitors at the International level as team India is not expected to bowl out this much cheaply. However the other factors like dropping catches at regular intervals when Australia was batting cost visitors the first test match after facing this severe defeat they have created another record of losing a Test match after winning the toss under Kohli’s captaincy.
After losing the match skipper Kohli said it was simply the lack of intent that was shown by our batters and we simply got stuck in the middle as it felt like it was difficult to score runs on these pitches but we need to accept this defeat and move on.
“Whenever we have performed well, especially overseas… see you can make all the team plans you want, it is more important what the mindset of the individuals taking the field is,” Kohli said in his post-match press conference.
“At an individual level, you have to be clear when you step on the field as to how you want to play, whether you want to take the game forward or you want to play absolutely solid. That you are very sound defensively and are feeling comfortable. Historically, I can tell you whenever I have batted well in these situations my plan has been to go and get quick 30-40 runs and take the game forward. This is very significant.
“As much as you plan on the team level, individuals need to have the right mindset in these critical moments and take the game forward. That is how you move towards winning. If your mindset is not right, like ours wasn’t today, when we lacked in intent, the opposition can sense it and put you under extreme pressure. That is exactly what happened. The individuals will have to see how they can have the mindset to take the game forward given the team’s situation.”
It will be even a bigger blow for India as Mohammad Shami got injured in the first Test match and if he doesn’t get fit to play the second Test match then the host will be in some serious trouble as skipper Kohli will return to India for the birth of his first child but he said that he is confident that the team will bounce back from this defeat. He further added that he would be happy if India had won this Test match. As per the experts, India played well in most of the session in the recently concluded first Test match but one bad session on the third day cost them the entire game and that’s is the beauty or curse of Test cricket that one session of the entire match could change the dynamics of the game in quick succession.
