Australia vs India: Shardul-Sundar partnership was outstanding says, Ricky Ponting.
Australia vs India: Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting heaped praise on the Indian late partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar. Both the batsmen put up an excellent rear-guard to the Indian innings, which eventually helped India to come back into the game.
Shardul Thakur (67) and Washington Sundar (62) stitched a magnificent partnership for the seventh wicket after India were reduced to 186/6 by the Aussies bowlers. Both the players took the charge and added 123 runs to reduce the lead of Australia.
“Both the batsmen have been a standout performer of the day and their concentration was amazing. They didn’t let Aussie take over the game easily. The partnership was outstanding, exactly what India needed at that time. India has shown a great character in the past few test matches,” Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au.
“Apart from the shot he played when he got bowled, Shardul was brilliant with his stroke play in his innings. He didn’t play many false shots and build strong innings for India.”
Aussie bowlers were less aggressive: Ricky Ponting
Ponting feels that the Australian bowlers lacked aggression and haven’t attacked Indian lower order with short deliveries.
“The bowlers were looked less aggressive when the tailenders entered the ground. They didn’t bowl many short deliveries to attack the batsmen and bowled the way Indian batsmen wanted them to,” Ponting said.
“Even after Thakur got out, Aussie bowlers looked less aggressive and made Indian batsmen more comfortable.”
Ponting told that the Gaba pitch in this test is not behaving as it behaved earlier. The flat surface did not help Aussie lethal bowling attack and also praised Indian batting for the fighting spirit and great comeback.
“The surface was flat and there was no help for the bowlers. The batsmen can play their strokes easily on these surfaces. There was no sideways movement or swing for the bowlers.”
“With Indian, they just kept their nerves and fight hard to dominate the bowler. In the past few games after India were bundled for 36, they have shown a great character and faith in themselves.”
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