Australia vs India: Irfan Pathan analyses visitors' incredible performance in Adelaide

Irfan Pathan, one of India’s leading seamers in the 21st century, analysed the recently concluded Test match between India and Australia as the former won the match by 31 runs and registered their sixth Test victory on Australian soil. The left-arm bowler’s probe covered so many aspects, right from the pace and seam positions of India’s quick bowlers to the Dravid-esque show of Cheteshwar Pujara.

The 34-year-old had other reasons to feel connected to a Test match victory in Adelaide as he made his international debut at the same venue 15 years ago and played a part in that historic win against the mighty Aussies. He got one more opportunity in the 2007-08 tour of Australia and that time he played an even bigger role by producing a match-winning performance with bat and ball that succoured India to another priceless victory Down Under.

‘Brilliant seamers, Resolute Pujara’

Pathan stated that India’s fast bowling triumvirate made a huge difference to the outcome of the Adelaide Test and heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal in-swingers, Ishant Sharma’s improvement with experience and Mohammed Shami’s seam position.

“Bumrah bowls in-swingers and also tries to get the ball away from the right-hander. He has been trying to learn that. Ishant has experience. Now his seam position is so much better, his wrist is not falling. Shami always had a good seam position. You need to do something with the ball on the air and off the pitch as well,” Irfan was quoted as saying in Sportstar Live.

The Vadodara-born was way too impressed with India’s No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara, who was adjudged Man of the Match for his resolute knocks in both the innings. He also felt that the right-hander reminded him of India’s erstwhile No.3 Rahul Dravid who was the star performer in the 2003 Adelaide Test match. “The way Pujara handled both the innings reminded me of Rahul bhai’s innings in Adelaide, from my debut game. This is happening after many years and it is fantastic,” Pathan said.

‘Openers should make life easy’

The southpaw also highlighted the importance of opening batsmen surviving the ‘new ball’ threat from Australia’s pace trio comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. “Openers should make it easier for the middle-order. When you play abroad, runs will come. If you are able to see the new ball off, take the shine off, it will benefit the team. The batsmen may get out but you could see how the team benefits from each and every role. If you are playing big teams such as England and Australia regularly, seeing off the new ball is a big plus,” said Pathan.

Pathan also had his say on the argument of ‘weak Australian team’ as he affirmed that a victory against an Australian side in their own backyard is special and should be given due credits. Talking about Rohit Sharma, the talented all-rounder said that he should play the entire Test series as his quintessential free-flowing style of scoring runs in limited-overs cricket would surely take him to good heights in the longer format as well.

~ Written by Harikrishnan Sivakumar

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