India will have to play their best cricket at the Gabba to win the series: Harbhajan Singh (Source – Star Sports)
The ongoing Test series between Australia and India has been a rollercoaster ride so far. After India won the series opener in Perth by a resounding margin of 295 runs, the Aussies showed why they are a force to reckon with at home in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, as the levelled the series with a 10-wicket thumping. This, in turn, has left the level of anticipation for the upcoming third Test soaring as the days to the Brisbane Test trickle by.
Former Indian cricketer, Harbhajan Singh has opined that the prolonged interval between the first and second Tests might have been the reason why India lost momentum.
“This series is tough because both teams have had losses. What happened with Australia in Perth, maybe they didn’t expect it. And what happened with India in Adelaide, maybe India also didn’t expect it. Although there was a very long gap in the middle between the two Tests, sometimes such a gap spoils the momentum, and it happened here,” shared Harbhajan while in an exclusive conversation with Star Sports.
Harbhajan held the view that the Test at the Gabba will somewhat decide India’s fortunes as far as the remainder of the series is concerned. The following two games will be played in Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7)
“If we look at this as a series of three matches, India has to win two out of these. Their best chances will be, I think, in Sydney and Melbourne. Anyway, if you play your best cricket at the Gabba and win there, then you will definitely win one match out of Melbourne or Sydney. So, you should think about that. The equality of the first two Tests shows that both teams have the ability to come back. Australia has come back; now maybe, it’s India’s turn to turn the tables,” he observed.
Also Read: India’s red-ball record at The Gabba: Most runs, wickets, 100s, highest score, and more
The momentum is now with the Australian team: Sunil Gavaskar
Ex-Indian skipper, Sunil Gavaskar, who was a part of the same panel, noted that Australia hold the psychological edge going into the midpoint of the series.
“The momentum that the Indian team got in Perth was lost during the 10-day gap. Now the momentum is with Australia because they have won this Test match. After the Adelaide Test, a few days later, you are playing at the Gabba. So, the momentum is now with the Australian team,” added Gavaskar.
As far as the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship is concerned, India need to win the series by a 1-3 margin. This will ensure their berth in the final to be played at the Lord’s, without having to bank on other results.
Interestingly, the Gabba has been one of the toughest nuts to crack for the Indian Test team over the generations. Their only victory at the venue has come in the 2020-21 series, where an iconic run-chase paved the path for history to be scripted. India have won only one red-ball game at the Gabba out of the seven they have featured in.