The 4th test at Dharmshala was the decider. This was the best chance for Australia to beat India and win the series. The Indians had a new captain in Ajinkya Rahane as the regular captain Virat Kohli and best Indian batsman was injured. He had damaged his shoulder while fielding on the boundary line in the 3rd test. Smith had won the toss and the Aussies had raced to 144 for 1 wicket. It looked that Australia was on its way to a big score. Despite this, the Aussies are on the verge of losing and they have only themselves to blame.
Evenly poised
The Indians capped a new spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
This man swung the game India's way when he ripped into the Aussie batting after tea on the first day. Kuldeep took four wickets for an impressive test debut. Despite a century by Smith, the Aussies were bowled out for 300. The match was still evenly poised as the Australians bowled out India for 332. Since India was to bat last on a wearing wicket, the odds favored Australia.
Pathetic batting display
The Australians commenced their second innings just before lunch on the 3rd day. The team, however, put on a pathetic batting display. They were bowled out for 137. It was simply a lack of application as the Indian fast bowlers and Jadeja got among the wickets. No Australian batsman applied his bat to stick to the wicket.
There was timidity in the batting as the Australians squandered a glorious opportunity. With just five overs remaining the Aussie total of 137 has ensured that only a miracle or a bad Indian Batting Collapse can save them. India is 19-0 and well on way to victory.
Lessons
The Aussie tour is coming to an end. The Aussies fought well but they were not equal to the task.
Indian wickets require patience and application and only Smith the Aussie captain with 3 hundreds got a measure of the wickets and the Indian attack. Men like Dave Warner, from whom much was expected, failed.
India has done well and is now the top side in the world. The Australians will go back thinking about what went wrong following a flying start after winning the first test match.
