"The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable" - Sunil Gavaskar believes the hosts are feeling the heat after 1st BGT 2024-25 Test defeat to India
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar believes Australia are in panic mode after their massive 295-run defeat to Team India in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth. Having lost their previous four bilateral Test series to India, Australia were expected to continue the unbeaten streak in Tests at the Perth Stadium.
However, they came apart with bat and ball to suffer a thumping defeat, falling 0-1 behind in the best-of-five series. Beyond the on-field struggles, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood's controversial remarks on the Aussie batters at the end of Day 3 raised eyebrows.
When asked how Australia would plan for their target of 534 from 12/3, Hazlewood nonchalantly stated the question should be thrown at the batters. The comments left several former players hinting at a possible divide within the Australian side.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar felt Hazlewood's comments and the reactions to them in the aftermath of Australia's massive defeat indicated panic within their ranks.
"The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, what with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and some even hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s media interview at the end of the third day’s play, where he suggested that it was up to the batters to now do something," he said.
Gavaskar further questioned Hazlewood being mysteriously ruled out of the second Test with a side strain by saying:
"Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference. Mystery, mystery — the like of which used to be common in Indian cricket in the past. Now it’s the Aussies, and like old McDonald, I’m simply loving it."
Hazlewood bowled 34 overs in the Perth Test and picked up five wickets to finish as the pick of the Aussie bowlers.
His absence will be a massive blow to Australia as they look to bounce back in the second Test at Adelaide, starting Friday, December 6.
"One could see the Aussie shoulders sagging at the inevitability of another big hundred from this prodigy" - Sunil Gavaskar on Yashasvi Jaiswal
Sunil Gavaskar hailed young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his breathtaking 161 in India's second innings, effectively putting the first Test beyond Australia's reach.
In his first international game Down Under, Jaiswal was dismissed for an eight-ball duck in the first innings. However, the southpaw displayed incredible technique and resolve to complete his fourth Test century in the second essay.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal showed he is a quick learner was evident by the straightness of his bat at the start of the second innings. As he settled down with wonderful guidance from K.L. Rahul at the other end, one could see the Aussie shoulders sagging at the inevitability of another big hundred from this prodigy. Their heads drooped even more as Virat Kohli cashed in on the solid platform set by the opening pair to get another century in Australia," Gavaskar added in his column.
The Indian batting legend was also impressed by Test debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round display in the Perth Test.
"The most impressive innings was from Nitish Reddy. He showed an awareness of what was required which belied the fact that he was making his Test debut. Even in the first innings, he displayed a refreshing grasp of scoring opportunities and ended up as the top scorer. His bowling too came in handy, and his fielding was outstanding. Here is a man for the future," Gavaskar continued.
Nitish Reddy scored a crucial 41 in the first innings with the side reeling at 73/6 and followed that up with a quickfire 27-ball 38* in the second innings. He also made a difference as India's fourth medium-pacer with the wicket of a well-set Mitchell Marsh during Australia's run chase.