India will have to be watchful of Nathan Lyon in the remaining Tests: Madan Lal

After winning a thrilling contest at the Adelaide Oval, India suffered a 146-run loss at Perth. The Australians managed to level the series 1-1 and it hands well in balance with two more games to go. With both the teams raring to win, the upcoming games at the MCG and Sydney promise to be a belter. However, India will have to address the issues in their playing XI sooner than later.

Right from the opening pair to the bowling combination, nothing worked for India at the Perth Test. Former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal spoke about the same as he expected Mayank Agarwal and Hardik Pandya in the playing XI. He further criticized the openers for their poor show in the series so far. However, he backed India to win the series in Australia.

Rahul and Vijay haven’t played to their potential

The performances of the Indian openers have been quite disappointing in the series so far. While KL Rahul has scored 48 runs in 4 innings, Vijay has 49 runs to go with. Hence, it’s unlikely that India will persist with both of them at the MCG. Madan asserted that India should go ahead with Mayank and Parthiv Patel.

“India’s main problem has been an effective opening pair. It is a crucial area in any format of the game and India needs to address the issue at the earliest, at Melbourne. Rahul and Vijay have not played to their potential. I would love to pick Agarwal. He has the attitude and the form to play with a positive mindset. I would also pick Parthiv Patel because he has the experience and the game to assume the role of an opener.” He was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

India will have to be watchful of Nathan Lyon

Over the last few years, we have often seen Indian bowlers giving an extended run to the opposition tailenders. The same was witnessed in the first two Tests against Australia. Madan highlighted the same and at the same time, praised Nathan Lyon for his stupendous bowling so far. The off-spinner has taken 16 wickets in the series so far.

“This failure has harmed the team in the past. It is time the bowlers learn to run through the tail. I am disappointed to see Indian batsmen giving wickets to spinners. Lyon is very good spinner. His line and length are impeccable. India will have to watch him in the remaining two Tests. Not picking a spinner for the Perth Test was a mistake but only in hindsight,” he further added.

At the MCG it is again going to be a drop-in pitch, i.e. it has been prepared away from the ground. Hence, it’s uncertain how the pitch might behave. However, the former Indian cricketer is confident that the No.1 Test team is capable of proving themselves in challenging conditions.

“India has a very good chance at Melbourne. I know the drop-in pitch is going to pose challenges but there are enough reasons to back India. India is the number one team in the world and should play like one. The team won the first Test after a close contest and ought to have won the second too if only the bowlers had not given away too many runs in Australia’s second innings,” Lal stated.

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