Adam Gilchrist Reflects Back Upon Team India's Shameful Loss In The First Test

Former Australia wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist points out one instance from the Adelaide Test, which he believes was a significant moment in the context of the game and one which, if India would have capitalized on it, could have changed the game towards them.

The 49-year-old opines that India was poor in the field as they let go plenty of catches in Adelaide- just like they have been throughout the tour, dropping and spilling chances. The three-time World Cup winner believes that the drop catch of Tim Paine by Mayank Agarwal proved very costly for Virat Kohli’s side.

The dropped catch of Tim Paine proved very costly for India: Adam Gilchrist

In the 55th over, Tim Paine pulled a bouncer off Jasprit Bumrah towards the deep square leg boundary where Agarwal was positioned. The Indian opener moved a couple of steps to his right, even got his hands on the ball, but failed to keep a hold on it, as the ball rolled over to the boundary.

At that stage, Australia’s score was 111/7 and their skipper was batting at the score of 26. After the catch drop, he went on to add a further 43 runs. He remained unbeaten on 73 and took the hosts closer to India’s total trimming down their lead to 53 runs- what could have been plenty more.

“It also needs to be noted that India’s efforts on the field proved very costly in the final analysis. A particularly important moment was when Mayank Agarwal dropped Tim Paine. If he hung on to that chance Australia would have been 111-8 and ended up with a lot less than the 191 they finally scored,” Adam Gilchrist added.

Adam Gilchrist heaps praise on the Indian bowlers and said that if the visitors have to take any positives from Adelaide, then it would be their bowling in the first innings which dismiss Australia for 191 giving them a 53 run lead. Ravichandran Ashwin, in particular, was highly impressive and has secured his spot for the next match even if Ravindra Jadeja is fit.

“India can take some heart from their bowling performance. At Adelaide, they were exceedingly good, even though their excellence was eclipsed by the Australian pace trio,” Adam Gilchrist wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

The Indian bowling is been dented by the loss of Mohammed Shami as he is ruled out from the remainder of the series owing to a wrist injury he suffered while batting from a bouncer by Pat Cummins.

Also Read: 5 Changes India Should Make For The 2nd Test Against Australia