India vs Australia: India prove former cricketers’ ‘whitewash’ predictions wrong with win in second Test
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India put the ghosts and memories of the humiliating 36-debacle at the Adelaide Oval in the first Test behind them with a comprehensive victory against the odds in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With their backs against the walls staring at a potential whitewash and without their key players like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, India produced a comeback for the ages to level the series and prove doubters wrong.
They were led from the front by their stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane who was not only smart with his field placements and bowling changes, but also struck an authoritative century in the first innings to help India gain a significant lead. The win was India’s fourth at the MCG, their most in an overseas venue and Rahane’s third consecutive win as captain in his first three which helped him match MS Dhoni‘s record.
India level the series; experts’ predictions get proved wrong
Several former cricketers and current experts had given their predictions on what could transpire at the Test series between India and Australia and a plethora of them favored the Aussies to whitewash the depleted Indian side both before the first Test and also after.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had told cricket.com.au, “India could suffer a whitewash after the Adelaide result.” Fellow Aussie Mark Waugh meanwhile told Fox Cricket, “No hope in the Indian side. No chance for a comeback. 4-0 to Australia.“. Another Aussie, Michael Clarke had said on India Today TV, “India can celebrate for a year if they beat Australia without Virat.“
There were also a few others who predicted similar results. Former Australian spinner Shane Warne said on Fox Cricket, “I think Australia is going to blow them away. They will be a bit shocked at what happened in Adelaide.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan had tweeted on his official handle saying, “If Australia win the first match and India lose Virat, this could be 4-0 for Australia.”
All of the aforesaid predictions have been proved wrong by India’s clinical performance in the second Test. The series now looks evenly poised and could go either way, with the predicted ‘whitewash’ clearly out of the equation.
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Nevin Clinton
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