Indian cricket team needs to ready to draw few tests in away series

[Trichromatic]

There will be days when opposition will outperform visiting side, no need to be too concerned about that. Bowlers will have tough days. Batsmen will struggle, but important part is how do you save those games.

 

When SA won a series in Aus in debut series of Faf, Aus completely dominated SA in first 2 tests scoring at 5+ RPO in on game. SA were nowhere close, but fought it out to save the match on flat pitch.

 

2021 BGT, Indian team got dominated at Sydney, but saved the game.

It's not the first time and it won't be last when home team prepares flat deck and racks up 550+ scores to outbat opposition. Important part is to survive those games, grind hard and save those matches. It's a difficult challenge to overcome and test cricket presents another aspect for players to shine in such scenario.

 

Manchester has provided that opportunity to Indian batters. 

 

First test was on flat pitch. Indian bowlers were in no position to win that, but should have been drawn with better batting performance. But team should try hard not to miss out this time.

 

I remember in 2011 England tour, score line looked 4-0, but an hour of grit would have saved 3 tests on that tour. Lords test was won in last hour, Indian team had to survive 2 sessions, but got bowled out on 4th day and 5th day was washout. Same with Oval test when SRT and Amit Mishra were playing easily on flat deck and suddenly collapsed in last session.

 

2014 England tour - Anderson added 200 runs along with Root to save a test which India had dominated. Almost 300 added for last 3 wickets. India won 2nd test and then England presented bowling friendly conditions to win series 3-1. This is example where England saved a game to dominate the score line in series.

 

2018 England tour - flat pitch, needed to survive 25 overs with 5 wickets in hand.

 

There is no shame in not winning test matches and fighting for drawn games.

 

10% better effort can result in huge difference in final score line.

[rkt.india]

For that, batting heavy team is required. Here we are playing six bowlers.

[Gollum]

Batting for draws is becoming a rarity in today's high paced cricket. T20 has played a big part in that, teams would rather go for a 500 chase in 4 sessions than buckling down to draw like the earlier generations. 

 

Some of the best tests have been nailbiting draws where one team just about hangs on in the final minutes of day 5. Swann, Anderson, Panesar in Ashes 2009 1st test (Cardiff), our miraculous draw in SCG 2021. RSA did that a few times in their prime, apart from 2012 Aus who can forget them deadbatting for 150 overs chasing a 500+ total in 2015 Kotla.....Umesh broke open that match with a fiery reverse swing spell late day 5, otherwise would have been one of the greatest escapes. NZ beat us 3-0 last year, but what I found even more frustrating was Rachin and Aijaz hanging on by a thread in the Kanpur test in their previous series, that match should have warned us about Rachin's potential. 

Edited July 27, 2025 by Gollum

[express bowling]

2 hours ago, rkt.india said:

For that, batting heavy team is required. Here we are playing six bowlers.

 

We are playing with 3 bowlers ( one of whom could not be trusted to bowl yesterday ) .... 5 batters .... 3 bits and pieces players ( for these conditions )

[Trichromatic]

3 hours ago, rkt.india said:

For that, batting heavy team is required. Here we are playing six bowlers.

5 proper batsmen is a must.

[Suhaan]

We need best 6 red ball batters from the country period

As pace bowling back to its mediocrity,we need to equip the side with strong batting and 4 genuine wicket takers

Not more than 1 AR 

[Gollum]

Gabba followed SCG escape.

 

Here, Oval followed Old Trafford escape.

 

Don't underestimate the psychological shifts following rearguard draws.