AUS vs IND | Team India goals to finish 42-year-long winless drought at SCG
2 min read Image Source : AP Indian cricket staff
India pulled off a comeback of ages on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 29, defeating Australia by eight wickets to stage the Border-Gavaskar sequence 1-1. The win got here per week after their Adelaide horror in opposition to the pink ball the place they had been folded for simply 36, their lowest Test complete in cricket historical past. But now a harder check awaits Team India who now goals to take a lead within the sequence with a win at a venue the place they’ve managed to register just one win in 12 appearances.
India made their first look on the iconic SCG in December 1947. Since then, they performed 12 Tests and have gained just one, again in 1978 when Bishen Singh Bedi led the facet to a victory of an innings and a pair of runs. India have misplaced 5 video games and 6 different led to a draw.
Their closest alternative at claiming a second win got here within the earlier tour when India had amassed over 600 runs with centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant earlier than imposing a follow-on after folding Australia for 300. But rain performed spoilsport and the match was washed out.
What makes India’s job harder is that Australia have a win share of 55.56 on the SCG, having gained 60 of the 108 Tests they’ve performed with 20 ending in a draw. The final time they misplaced on the SCG was in 2011, in opposition to England, the one staff to have inflicted the 2 defeats that Australia incurred on the venue this century, 2003 being the opposite yr.
Australia, nonetheless, have regarded futile with the bat within the sequence with Steve Smith going by a uncommon lean patch. Marnus Labuschagne too has didn’t convert his begins. The administration has in the meantime added David Warner to the squad who was out with a groin harm.
India, alternatively, have misplaced Umesh Yadav and KL Rahul, however Rohit Sharma has joined the squad is definite to look within the Sydney recreation.
