India vs Australia: A day of attrition and application at Narendra Modi Stadium

Ahmedabad: How can one not love Test cricket? Not appreciate that battle between bat and ball when the players, not the pitch, are the protagonists? Especially the little periods of play where a sudden lapse in concentration costs a wicket, breaks a solid stand and allows the opposition to find their way back into the contest.

The post Tea session had everything which keeps Test cricket alive and kicking. The tight lines, the odd loose delivery going to the ropes, application by the batters and in all, plenty of attrition from both teams.

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For Australia it was about sticking to what worked after a couple of early wickets and for India it was more about the waiting game and keeping the flow of runs under check with tight lines, mostly around the fourth and middle-stump. Odd boundaries were hit but nothing to panic about.

For over 40 overs, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja held fort and frustrated India. The pair weren’t batting in the ‘outbatting the opposition mode’ and showcased impeccable application on what was a true sub-continent pitch. A pitch which kept everyone interested throughout the day. You bat well, you score. You bowl well, you get wickets. As simple as that. It is a very uncomplicated surface which required a similar approach and the Aussie pair did the same in that post-Lunch session which saw a great battle.

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