Need To Credit India As They Put Us Under Pressure: Tim Paine

Team India, on Monday, beat Australia by eight wickets in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to draw level in the four-match series. The Tim Paine-led side had won the series-opener by the same margin at the Adelaide Oval.

Starting the day on 133 for 6 with a lead of just two runs, Australia were all out for 200 to give the visitors a modest target of 70. Australia’s slip hopes of making a comeback in the Boxing Day Test was resting with Cameron Green and the tail but India made sure that there was no slip up in Melbourne like they failed to capitalise in Adelaide.

Bumrah strikes with the new ball!

A breakthrough for #TeamIndia as @Jaspritbumrah93 ends the partnership with a sharp bouncer and Cummins is OUT for 22.

AUS 156-7 and lead by 25 runs. pic.twitter.com/kger3SYO1G

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 29, 2020

Green and Pat Cummins started the proceedings with the bat on day four and managed to keep their wickets intact for the first hour. It took India the second new ball and more than 16 overs to get the first breakthrough when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Cummins for 22 to end the frustrating 57-run stand.

On the other hand, Green looked destined for a maiden Test half-century before attempting an aggressive pull shot off Mohammed Siraj, only to fail to clear Ravindra Jadeja at midwicket. The right-handed batsman missed his fifty by five runs. Siraj then accounted for Nathan Lyon before Ravichandran Ashwin brought an end to Australia’s innings by castling Josh Hazlewood.

Set a target of 70 runs, India were off to a shaky start as Mayank Agarwal (5) and Cheteshwar Pujara (3) departed cheaply to leave the team reeling at 19 for 2. However, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane did not let Australia claw their way back by sharing an unbeaten stand of 51 runs. Gill remained unbeaten on 35 while Rahane scored 27.

Just how good has this pair been in the run-chase ??#TeamIndia just 1️⃣3️⃣ runs away from victory ??#AUSvIND

??: Getty Images Australia pic.twitter.com/8Sgj6z3OZM

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 29, 2020

Here is what Tim Paine said after the match:

Speaking after the game, Australia captain Tim Paine started by expressing his disappointment over the result. Tim Paine admitted that his team played poor cricket and were sloppy for a major part of the game. At the same time, he did not take anything away from India and gave them credit for the win at the MCG.

“Pretty disappointed. We played some poor cricket, sloppy cricket for a major part of the game. Credit to India, they forced us into mistakes with the bat, ball and also on the field. And when you do that against a quality team, it costs you. But again, need to credit India as they put us under pressure. We have issues with the batting and need to get it sorted. We’ve seen the temperament that he (Green) showed and as he plays more games, he’ll get even better, which is exciting,” said Tim Paine.

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