Australia still have to firm up opening and spin-bowling options while India’s batting and captaincy remain a concern
Ian Chappell12-Jan-2025Australia clinched a thrilling Test series win over India, and in the process finally regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy.It was a massive performance by Australia, capably led by Pat Cummins, and along the way they introduced some new blood to the side. Australia made progress, but for India the series confirmed the concerns surrounding two stalwarts.After a slow start to the series for Cummins and Australia, the skipper became the hero. He has regularly inspired the team and once again performed the star role.Cummins took 25 wickets for the series, and when Australia needed a wicket he was the man for the job. If they needed a good player in the opposition dismissed, Cummins was best suited to the task. To cap off a monumental series, he also provided important runs at times when they were badly needed.Related
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Anyone who isn’t convinced Cummins is a capable captain, and headed for the hall of fame when he qualifies, hasn’t been watching closely.Adding to his lustre as a leader Cummins claimed a 3-1 series victory after losing the first Test badly. It was a personal triumph as much as a team effort.As long as he is leading the side and the bowling attack, Australia will be hard to beat, especially in home conditions.Importantly, Australia debuted young Sam Konstas as an opener, and an experienced cricketer in allrounder Beau Webster.While Konstas’ T20-style opening onslaught saw Australia unsettle Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings at the MCG, his method is questionable for the long haul. Konstas’ youthful exuberance, both with the bat and in the field, needs to be tempered if he hopes to have a long, successful Test career.
Kohli’s consistency needs to improve in addition to him dispensing valuable advice to younger players. He also has to stop his senseless antics, like shouldering Konstas in the MCG Test
Webster made a good start and proved he has potential as a No. 6 batter. His bowling will mostly be about resting the leading pacemen, but he’s a sure-handed catcher, which counts in his favour.Australia’s winning form in the last few years has been greatly dependent on a strong bowling attack. There are some capable pace bowlers on the horizon, and as long as Cummins remains at his peak, Australia will be in reasonable shape.Despite some Sri Lankan tour selections made with an eye on the future, the batting and spin-bowling options are still in question. Australia badly need to unearth a solid opening candidate and a good middle-order player. While Steve Smith remains the best batter in the side, Australia’s totals will be okay, but any prospective replacements need to establish their credentials.For India the two big question marks are leading batters, and the selectors have tough decisions to make regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.The soon-to-be-38-year-old Rohit, facing a crammed five-Test series against England in a few months, is a doubtful quantity. Although India are extremely reluctant to part with star players, lately Rohit has struggled technically and his absence would provide uncertainty over the opening position and the captaincy.KL Rahul is a decent opening alternative but the captaincy provides a bigger headache whenever Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable. Bumrah showed in Australia he’s an outstanding bowler and a decent skipper, but he needs support in both categories if India are to remain a force.Kohli’s experience in the UK would be invaluable, and of the two problematic players he’s the most likely to be resuscitated. However, his consistency needs to improve in addition to dispensing valuable advice to younger players. He also has to stop his senseless antics like shouldering Konstas in the MCG Test. If Kohli does decide to retire from Test cricket, the loss of both him and Rohit would leave a huge gap in the line-up for a tough tour.Both Australia (in the World Test Championship final against South Africa) and India play UK Tests in 2025. They should be fascinating contests but in the meantime each team’s Test selectors face some challenging decisions.
