Just ahead of the first Test in Nagpur, Australia's former assistant coach Sridharan Sriram had said that the series would be decided by the way Australia's lower middle-order deals with the Indian spinners.
Sriram was proven right as Australia, from 109-5 in the first innings, were bowled out for 177 at Jamtha. India, on the other hand, from 168-5, stretched their score to 400. These 232 runs that they scored turned the game into a completely one-sided affair. It is to be noted that R Ashwin, who usually bats at No. 7 or 8, also scored a gritty 23 coming in as nightwatchman.
On Australia's part, barring Alex Carey, who tried taking the battle to the spinners, no one in the lower middle-order seemed to have the technique to deal with the spinners. Matt Renshaw looked like a novice against the spinning delivery and Peter Handscomb never threatened to hurt Ravindra Jadeja or R Ashwin. The likes of Pat Cummins, Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland seemed like a group of No. 11s, not in a position to add anything substantial.
It is obviously about adaptability and being able to deliver under pressure situations. Jadeja, the Man of the Match in the first Test, said how he focuses more on his batting, just to be able to deliver. "Now that I bat Nos, 5, 6 and 7, I look to put myself in pressure situations. It is very important that I get the runs for the team and I understand that," Jadeja said.
While there can be an argument that these are home conditions and Jadeja knows all about it, one has to remember how effective he has been with the bat in foreign conditions as well. His performances allow India to go in with five genuine bowlers, something that Australia sorely missed. The visitors, on the other hand, did not have big-hitting allrounder Cameron Green in the line-up due to a finger injury and they decided to leave out Travis Head, who has done well in recent times. Cummins insisted that they need not re-invent the wheel at this stage of the series, but he acknowledged that it is important that the lower middle-order comes good.
"Those who get in need to get the runs…And you are looking at small margins. You have to have a hard look at your game and the big strides you need to change to give yourself the best chance next week," Cummins said.
New left-arm spinner added
While Australia should try to find a way to get Head into the XI for the Delhi Test, the team management should also look to include a left-arm spinner on these pitches just to add to the variation. The Australian team management couldn't bank on Ashton Agar despite his 10-year experience and have called in uncapped left-armer Matt Kuhnemann.
He flies in in place of leggie Mitchell Swepson, who failed to find a place in the first Test team and has decided to go back home to be with his wife, who is expecting.
1/10:Kuhnemann called up for India tour as Australia mulling three spinners for 2nd Test
2/10:Kuhnemann added to Aussie Test squad
<p>Australia left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been called up to the squad for their Test series in India, Cricket Australia said ahead of next week's second match.<br /></p>Getty Images
3/10:Kuhnemann comes in place of Swepson
<p>Kuhnemann, 26, will be joining the touring party in place of leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson who will make a pre-planned return home for the birth of his first child.<br /></p>Getty Images
4/10:Kuhnemann - Second left-arm spin option
<p>Kuhnemman will give Australia a second left-arm spin option alongside Ashton Agar, who did not play in the first Test in Nagpur which Australia lost by an innings and 132 runs within three days.<br /></p>
5/10:Kuhnemann short on international experience
<p>Kuhnemann<em></em> doesn't have much international experience under his belt, having scalped just 6 wickets at an average of 31.83 in 4 ODI matches played against Sri Lanka.</p>
6/10:Kuhnemann could play alongside Lyon and Murphy
<p>Kuhnemann is en route to Delhi and could play alongside Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy if another turning pitch is presented.<br /></p>AFP
7/10:Debut for Kuhnemann?
<p>Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said Kuhnemman could make his Test debut in the second Test in New Delhi which will begin on Friday.<br /></p>
8/10:Australia mulling three spinners
<p>"If we play three spinners then we clearly want back-up here and available in the squad if that's the way we want to go," McDonald said.<br /></p>PTI
9/10:Travis Head may be recalled for second Test
<p>In-form batter Travis Head may be recalled for the Delhi Test, with the left-hander surprisingly omitted for the opening Test despite a good run at home during the recent summer.<br /></p>Getty Images
10/10:Australia hoping for Green's return
<p>Australia are hoping all-rounder Cameron Green will return for the second Test after missing the series opener because of a finger injury.<br /></p>PTIIf Australia have to include either Agar or Kuhnemann in the XI, they may have to make a change in their opening combination also and promote Carey at the top.
Meanwhile, there was a new twist to the ongoing tension on the sidelines of the India-Australia series.
According to a report in the Australian media, the visitors wanted centre-wicket practice at the Jamtha a day after the Test match got over. It would have meant that the Australian team would have got practice on the worn-out pitch against spinners, something that has bothered them in the series.
But the pitch on which the match was played was watered. The side wickets, adjacent to the centre wicket, were however ready but the Aussies refused to train on those.
Vidarbha Cricket Association sources informed TOI that it is a standard practice to water the pitch on which the match was played and there was no reason to make an issue out of it.
Though the Aussies didn't finally practise on Sunday, there is a chance that they may on Monday on the side wickets itself. The net bowlers have been summoned.
