The star batsman of Australia, Steve Smith is clearly out of form in this Test series against India. Ravichandran Ashwin has picked him up twice in two Tests and Jasprit Bumrah has taken his wicket in the second innings at Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is very much clear that Steve Smith is currently struggling against a quality Indian bowling attack. Steve Smith is an important member of the Australian Cricket Team. The team management has a lot of expectations on him and as a senior member of the side, it is expected that he will deliver when the team needs him the most.
What Is Wrong With Steve Smith?
The occasion has come on Monday when Australia have been struggling to put pressure on India and big innings from Steve Smith has been needed. There has been a lot of talks regarding the batting technique of Steve Smith. However, Smith has always shut the mouth of his critics with plenty of runs. However, this time Steve Smith has not been able to do the same. In the second innings, Steve Smith has tried to play a leg glance.
However, the ball has hit the leg stump and Smith has to go back to the pavillion. Steve Smith has scored only eight runs in this innings and Australia are now in deep trouble after losing his wicket.
Steven Smith for only the second time in his Test career has failed to reach double digit score in 4 consecutive Innings. Ravi Ashwin troubled him and now Jasprit Bumrah picks him.#AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/Etpk5qR9MI
— Adnan Khan ?? (@Kh14245350Adnan) December 28, 2020
Australia has been able to score 195 runs in the first innings and the credits go to the Indian bowlers for restricting their opponents within a low total. Jasprit Bumrah has taken four wickets in the first innings whole Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up three wickets. Mohammed Siraj has also bowled quite well and he has taken two important wickets in the first innings. Ravindra Jadeja has picked up the wicket of Pat Cummins at the end.
Is Australia Too Dependent On Their Number One Test Batsman?
In the reply, Indian Cricket Team has posted a total of 326 runs. The captain has scored a hundred in this match. Ajinkya Rahane has played one of the best knocks of his career on Sunday. However, he has not been able to continue his innings much on Monday. Ravindra Jadeja has scored 57 runs and the partnership of Rahane and Jadeja has given India the edge in this match. Rishabh Pant has come in this Indian side in place of Wriddhiman Saha.
Pant has played a good knock of 29 runs and he has tried to increase the flow of runs in the first innings. Shubman Gill has given India a solid start with his 45 runs at the beginning of the innings. However, the form of Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari will certainly be a concern for the Indian team management.
In the second innings, Matthew Wade has scored 40 runs. Joe Burns has again failed to score a big run in this innings. After the end of day three, Australia has a slender lead of two runs but they have already lost six wickets in the second innings. India will be hoping to level the series tomorrow as early as possible.
