'India are good at creating these sideshows and we took our eye off the ball' - Tim Paine on their recent monumental loss

India was up against Australia on their soil for the last edition of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and it turned out to be one of the most magical moments produced by the Indian team in cricket history. In the same reference, Australia’s Test skipper Tim Paine opened up and stated what all led to their monumental loss. Paine stated that visitors were experts in creating ‘sideshows’ or ‘distraction’ which diverted the focus of Australian players.

Talking about India’s historical performance, they bore ultimate embarrassment when they bundled out on just 36 runs in Adelaide. However, the Ajinkya Rahane led team bounced back in Melbourne to level the series. The third Test resulted in a draw and the final action moved to Gabba which was known as Aussies’ fortress for the last 32 years. However, whatever the young army of India produced at the Gabba to clinch the prestigious series (2-1) was no less than magical.

India are very good at niggling: Tim Paine

“Part of the challenge of playing against India is they’re very good at niggling you and trying to distract you with stuff that doesn’t really matter and there were times in that series where we fell for that. The classic example was when they said they weren’t going to the Gabba so we didn’t know where we were going. They’re very good at creating these sideshows and we took our eye off the ball.”

Paine added that India were an expert in creating sideshows that led them to lose their focus and the series ultimately resulted in a big loss. Paine added that not moving to Gabba earlier could also have been one of India’s tactics as it kept hosts on their toes thinking where the new venue will be. Many big names also added that India didn’t want to move to Gabba because no visiting team has been able to win there in the past 32 years. However, what India did there in absence of senior players got scripted as one of the historical moments.